MALACAÑANG assured the public on Sunday that the government is preparing measures to ease the impact of Tuesday’s planned transport strike even as provincial bus operators declared they will also join the metrowide action planned by the United Transport Koalisyon (1-Utak).

Deputy presidential spokesman Lorelei Fajardo said among the mitigating measures is the “Sakay” using government vehicles. She said the National Police and the transportation department “are taking care of it.”

Meanwhile, Homer Mercado, president of the Provincial Bus Operators Association of the Philippines (PBOAP), attended a press briefing in Quezon City where he announced his group’s intention.

A provincial bus operator, Ellen Santos of Santrans, also dropped by to express her support.  Also present were leaders of all major transport groups headed by 1-Utak chairman Vigor Mendoza.

Zeny Maranan of the Federation of Jeepney Operators and Drivers Association of the Philippines, Efren de Luna of Alliance of Concerned Transport Organizations, George San Mateo of Pagkakaisa ng mga Samahan ng Tsuper at Operators Nationwide, Orlando Marquez of Makati Jeepney Operators and Drivers Association, Obet Martin of Pasang Masda, Boy Vargas of Alliance of Land Transportation Operators and the Drivers Association of the Philippines were one in denouncing the alleged blatant abuses of the LGU that they claimed were making them milking cows.

Among the grievances aired by the groups is the mandatory use of terminals that a city or town chooses. Usually, there are no passengers in these because they are far from main routes. The groups are also dismayed by the doubling of terminal fees, and the differing traffic-violation ticketing systems of these LGUs.

Fajardo urged, meanwhile, the groups joining the strike to conduct their mass action peacefully and not to harass those who do not participate. “We appeal to the transport sector to maintain peace and order.”

The strike is aimed at amplifying the transport groups’ demand for higher fares in view of rising fuel prices as the three biggest players in the oil industry—Petron Corp., Pilipinas Shell Petroleum Corp., and Chevron—raised their pump prices by another 50 centavos over the weekend, citing higher crude oil prices. 

Aside from PBOAP, metro bus groups headed by Claire de la Fuente of Integrated Metro Bus Operators Association and Elena Ong of Integrated Bus Operators Association also promised to stop operations.

Even tricycle and bicycle groups agreed with the bus and jeepney groups, and may possibly join as Mendoza boasted it will be the biggest strike in transport history. He said it is expected to paralyze movement in the entire metropolis.

After Tuesday’s demonstration, Mendoza added they will again meet to discuss a follow-up nationwide transport holiday.

Mercado said the 15 companies with a total of 2,000 buses under PBOAP have already committed to just ferry the passengers from Southern and Northern Luzon to Metro Manila, but will not bring them back to the provinces on the day of the strike.

Provincial bus operators to join strike; government fielding free transport

MALACAÑANG assured the public on Sunday that the government is preparing measures to ease the impact of Tuesday’s planned transport strike even as provincial bus operators declared they will also join the metrowide action planned by the United Transport Koalisyon (1-Utak).

MEMBERS of the Senate foreign relations committee will be asked to concur in or reject a full committee report recommending conditional concurrence with the controversial Japan-Philippines Economic Partnership Agreement (Jpepa).

THE House leadership has endorsed the proposed P3-billion special fund to relocate 126,230 families living in almost subhuman conditions along esteros, dump sites and other danger zones in Metro Manila.

LA TRINIDAD, Benguet—Dubbed the “Strawberry Capital,” this premier producer of strawberries is the best place to hold a festival that brings together thousands of visitors and residents to enjoy activities and entertainment,

CEBU’S suspected extensive and syndicated “escort services”—getting people, mostly workers, to get through airport processing easily—may be in for another drubbing from the Bureau of Immigration (BI) because Immigration Commissioner Marcelino Libanan has sent a team to look into the situation at the Mactan-Cebu International Airport.

THE government has opposed a motion filed by former Immigration Commissioner Andrea Domingo seeking the reduction of the P40,000 bail set by the Second Division of the Sandiganbayan in an arbitrary, detention case filed against her by the Office of the Ombudsman.

ISABELA CITY, Basilan—The widows of Basilan congressman Wahab Akbar, suspected to have been assasinated by a political rival, have expressed deep worry the trial of already-known suspects may be derailed or diluted by political influence. They are thus calling for a speedy trial.