Militant groups to stage transport strike

SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga — Militant groups led by the Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan) and Pinagkaisang Samahan ng Tsuper at Operators Nationwide (Piston) are pushing through with their planned nationwide transport strike on the third week of June.

But the organizers of the transport strike, which was initially planned to coincide with the opening of classes, assured the riding public that they will not demand any fare increase but will call for the scrapping of the oil deregulation law.

Frank Mangulabnan, Bayan’s Pampanga chairman, said Piston, an allied organization of the militant party-list group, is finalizing plans for the nationwide transport strike.

Mangulabnan asked for understanding from commuters who could be inconvenienced by the strike. "The people must realize that a transport strike is not only for the benefit of motorists but for all of us," he said.

He said the oil deregulation law "promised us lower fuel prices by initiating the entry of small players in the industry, but we have been deceived."

"From P7.13 per liter of diesel in 1996 before the law was implemented, the cost of diesel is now P38.68 which is 414.45 percent higher," he said.

Mangulabnan said they dropped their initial plan to stage the strike during the opening of classes so as not to inconvenience students, which number about two million in Central Luzon alone.

He said drivers’ groups allied with Bayan will not demand any fare increase so as not to further burden the riding public.

"We are united in our stand not to pass on the burden to the commuting public. We will not increase fares," said Tom Talavera, chairman of the Samahan ng Tsuper at Operators ng Pilipinas.

"Increasing transport fares will not solve the problem whose root is actually that law," he said.