Jeepney strike barely felt – PNP

MANILA, Philippines — “Hardly felt” was how the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) described the first of the two-day nationwide transport strike staged by members of the Pagkakaisa ng mga Samahan ng mga Tsuper at Operators Nationwide (PISTON) yesterday.

The strike was meant to protest a plan of the government to modernize the country’s public transport system by phasing out old and dilapidated jeepneys.

Only 20 percent of the total number of jeepney drivers in the metropolis joined the boycott that left a few commuters stranded, according to NCRPO chief Director Oscar Albayalde.

Local government units deployed trucks to ferry stranded commuters, particularly those along Rizal Avenue Extension in Caloocan.

The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) said drivers plying the Quezon City-Quiapo, Quiapo-Cubao, Sta. Ana-Faura and Baclaran-Sucat were among those who joined the boycott.

But PISTON described the strike as successful, noting it compelled the government to suspend work and classes.

The group said transportation was paralyzed by 90 percent nationwide.

It attributed the fewer number of stranded commuters to the suspension of government offices and classes.

PISTON president George San Mateo expressed hope the strike would help them get their message accross to the government.

Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada said the boycott failed to paralyze the city, citing reports from the Manila Police District-Traffic Enforcement Unit.

“Only a few drivers joined the boycott and no passengers were stranded during the morning rush hours,” Estrada said.

A few protesting drivers were spotted at the corner of Vicente Cruz and Espana Avenue at around 8 a.m. and another 40 converged at Anda Circle in Port Area.

Augusto Aldano, PISTON Monumento president, said the strike paralyzed Camanava (Caloocan, Malabon, Navotas and Valenzuela) by 90 percent.

Drivers who did not join the boycott were reportedly harrassed by their protesting colleagues.

“The mass action was peaceful and orderly,” Albayalde said as he noted a minor disturbance along Aurora Boulevard in Quezon City, where at least 50 protesters tried to block the road, causing heavy traffic.

Albayalde and Land Transportation and Franchising Board (LTFRB) chairman Martin Delgra II rushed to the area and ordered the protesters to occupy one of the two-lane road.

Television footage showing a group of men removing the license plate of a jeepney which driver did not join the strike on E. Rodriguez Avenue, again prompted Albayalde and Delgra to rush to the area.

But the men had fled by the time they arrived.

The NCRPO tactical operations center said at least 200 drivers were seen protesting along Monumento in Caloocan City, 50 along Aurora Boulevard, 30 on Litex Road and five in Welcome Rotonda, all in Quezon City.

“We have not received reports of arrests or violent confrontation among striking and non-striking jeepney drivers,” Albayalde said.

Every local government unit prepared trucks to ferry stranded commuters.

The same security preparations will be implemented on the second day of the transport strike today, Albayalde said.

The Southern Police District reported that at least 20 drivers joined a rally at the corner of Kalayaan and Zapote roads in Barangay Olympia, Makati City.

No stranded commuters were reported in the cities of Mandaluyong, San Juan, Marikina and Pasig, according to Chief Supt. Romulo Sapitula, director of the Eastern Police District. – With Cecille Suerte Felipe, Sheila Crisostomo, Jose Rodel Clapano, Mayen Jaymalin, Rey Galupo, Robertzon Ramirez, Romina Cabrera, Ding Cervantes, Celso Amo, Cet Dematera, Gerry Lee Gorit, Ramon Efren Lazaro, Gilbert Bayoran, Kurt dela Peña, Marc Jayson Cayabyab