Piston, Manibela set 3-day transport strike

MANILA, Philippines — Transport groups Pagkakaisa ng mga Samahan ng Tsuper at Opereytor Nationwide (Piston) and Samahang Manibela Mananakay at Nagkaisang Terminal ng Transportasyon (Manibela) have announced plans to hold a nationwide strike this week to protest corruption in the government’s use of fuel excise taxes.

Piston said jeepney drivers shoulder nearly P13,000 in fuel taxes per month while riders pay around P4,000.

The group said drivers of modernized or e-jeepneys are the hardest hit, paying up to P23,400 monthly in value-added tax and excise taxes.

“Money that should fund the rehabilitation of jeepneys and improve public transport is being stolen and spent on luxury cars,” Piston said in a statement. “You’re already in great debt because of the modernization, and your taxes are being stolen!”

Piston set its strike for Sept. 18, to be followed by a protest action in Rizal Park in Manila on Sept. 21, to call for accountability of government officials.

Manibela said its members would stage protests from Sept. 17 to 19, also decrying corruption and the alleged misuse of public funds.

“Excise tax from diesel is going to the luxuries of nepo children,” Manibela said. “It’s not right that drivers are the ones feeding their extravagance while jeepney drivers toil day and night just to earn enough for their families.”

Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) Chairman Teofilo Guadiz III assured the public that the strike will not paralyze public transportation.

“We recognize the right of transport groups to express their grievances. However, I want to assure the public that the LTFRB has prepared contingency measures so that commuters will not be stranded,” Guadiz said.

The LTFRB coordinated with the Department of Transportation, Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) and local governments ahead of the scheduled strikes.

Guadiz said government vehicles, military trucks, buses and modern public utility vehicles would be deployed to provide free rides.

He also said that most operators and drivers are expected to remain on the road, citing past transport strikes that had limited impact.

“Commuters are our top priority. We will make sure that on Sept. 18, Filipinos can still get to work, school and their destinations safely and on time,” Guadiz said.

The government will make sure that commuters will experience “minimal inconvenience” during the transport strikes, MMDA Chairman Romando Artes said.

He called on members of Manibela and Piston to avoid causing trouble to passengers and motorists by blocking jeepneys to force drivers into joining rallies.

Other transport groups will not join the strike by Manibela and Piston, according to Artes. — Ghio Ong