USUAL TRAFFIC. Public utility jeepneys plying the southern routes of Minglanilla, Naga and San Fernando in Cebu continue to pick up passengers despite the call of Pinagkaisang Samahan ng mga Tsuper at Operators Nationwide to stage a nationwide transport strike on Monday (Sept. 30, 2019). Local government units whose local chief executives did not order suspension of classes deployed government vehicles to ferry stranded passengers. (PNA photo by John Rey Saavedra)
CEBU CITY -- The Metro Cebu transport group’s rally in support of the nationwide strike initiated by their counterparts in Manila on Monday failed to cripple transportation here.
Local government units (LGUs) here deployed buses and trucks to ferry passengers to their destinations, as mayors in the cities of Cebu, Mandaue, Lapu-Lapu and Talisay did not declare suspension of classes.
Greg Perez, chair of Pinagkaisang Samahan ng mga Tsuper at Operators Nationwide (PISTON-Cebu chapter), accompanied a group of around 60 people, believed to be operators and drivers, in their rally to protest the government's PUV (public utility vehicle) modernization program.
Perez’s group marched from SM City Cebu to the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) office along J. Briones Street in North Reclamation Area, some 1.5 kilometers from where they assembled early Monday morning, and conducted a lighting rally, venting their sentiments against the PUV modernization which they said has a negative impact on poor drivers.
In response, LTFRB-7 Regional Director Eduardo Montealto deployed 30 buses to different points in metro Cebu to ferry stranded passengers.
Mayor Edgardo Labella said he did not order suspension of classes as the city government strategically deployed buses and other private and government vehicles for the affected commuters.
In his Facebook post, Labella also encouraged leaders of the 80 barangays to help the city ferry commuters.
Talisay City Mayor Gerald Anthony Gullas also did not declare suspension of classes in his city.
His decision came after he consulted Talisay City traffic czar Jonathan Tumulak.
“I decided to not suspend classes because we have too much class suspensions due to the numerous holidays we just had lately,” he said in his Facebook post.
Lapu-Lapu City Mayor Junard “Ahong” Chan likewise decided against suspension of classes in Mactan Island schools, advising commuters to take e-jeepneys and tricycles.
The Public Information Office of Mandaue City also posted on its social media account about the no-suspension of classes stance of Mayor Jonas Cortes.
It, however, deployed buses with pick-up points in four different locations like J Center Mall for Banilad-bound passengers; Metrobank Highway Seno for Consolacion-bound commuters; in a convenience store along Maguikay for Lapu-Lapu bound commuters; and Happy Mart Maguikay for Cebu City-bound passengers.
Aside from government buses, a private company also deployed buses for Mandaue commuters.
However, commuters observed that there were many PUJs plying their usual routes and carrying passengers to and from different points.
Perez admitted they were unprepared in holding a transport strike because of time constraints.
He said that he was able to muster support only from the drivers of PUJs who are plying the Mandaue and Lapu-Lapu routes who usually work during the evening.
He also denied that they were holding a transport strike.
Last Friday, Montealto reminded operators and drivers to follow the conditions on their Certificate for Public Convenience which prohibits them from crippling transportation through a transport strike, or else they would face cancellation of their franchise.
He stressed that drivers can hold a protest because it is their constitutional right but they should continue servicing commuters. (PNA)
