Transport strike jolts city: Mayor Radaza may ban PUJ drivers’ from using terminal

CEBU, Philippines - Lapu-Lapu City Mayor Paz Radaza yesterday threatened public utility jeepney drivers, who joined Tuesday’s lightning transport strike, to ban them from using or entering the government-owned terminal at Barangay Pajo, this city.

In a press conference yesterday, Radaza said she was disappointed after hearing reports that commuters in the city were having a difficult time getting a ride to work or to school because of the strike. “Dili na paparkingan. Kung mu-usab, dili na pa gamiton sa terminal,” she said.

Frank Brazil, chief of the City Traffic Management Systems, was not aware of the strike, said the mayor.

Radaza said that, upon learning of the PUJ strike, she immediately deployed two government buses and two more from Barangays Mactan and Basak.

“Thankful ta sa Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board nga niadto sa terminal sa jeep para tagaan og special permit. Nakahatud ang atong mga buses (sa mga pasahero) padung sa Cebu City,” the mayor said.

“If the drivers have issues to raise, we will hear them out for as long as they will announce their plan to strike, so that the government can prepare alternative transportation to the commuters. They (drivers) should express their concerns, and coordinate with the local government unit,” Radaza said.

In a separate interview, however, Greg Perez, head of the Pinagkaisang Samahan ng mga Tsuper at Operators Nationwide Cebu (PISTON), said they made early information dissemination about the strike.

“We sent a notice, but not a formal letter. We distributed leaflets about the strike, announced this over the radio, and spread this information to the public. The PISTON national level knew about this,” he said.

Perez said at least 200 PUJ drivers participated in the strike and conducted their protest march from Mandaue City to the Land Transportation Office-7.

Among the concerns raised by PISTON members was the joint administrative order mandating excessive PUJ penalties, including the removal of old jeepney models (around 20 years old), Perez added. —/RAE (FREEMAN)