Strike stalls transport

MALOLOS CITY — Public transportation in the province was paralyzed yesterday as thousands of tricycle and jeepney drivers together with militant groups staged a massive transport strike in protest of the Clean Air Act. The protesters set up barricades in the towns of Baliuag, Malolos, Plaridel, Sta. Maria, Meycauayan and Pulilan, blocking those who braved the strike and plied their routes.

Long lines of workers, office employees and other commuters who commute everyday stood along roads as they waited for rides, that never came.

The idling of the public transport vehicles was a protest to the increase in gasoline prices and on the part of tricycle operators and drivers, to the smoke emission test as mandated by the Clean Air Act. The group are also protesting the P300 fee for the smoke emission test which they said is too exorbitant, said Pedy de Leon, spokesperson of Dyipni-Tricycle Bulacan Transport Organization (DISTRIBUTOR).

Police authorities here said while the strike was widespread it was however, peaceful and orderly. Civil disturbance management teams of the local police were positioned at strategic sites in the province to respond to any untoward incident that may arise in the said strike. — James Mananghaya