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Transport strike: Palace ignores LTFRB recommendation, suspends work and classes anew

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Malacañan Palace suspended government work and classes on all levels today on the second day of the massive protests against the planned phase-out of jeepneys despite claims by transport agencies the strike failed.

Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea announced the nationwide suspension before midnight Monday after the Pinagkaisang Samahan ng mga Tsuper at Opereytor Nationwide (PISTON) claimed a 90 per cent paralysis of major jeepney transport routes on the first day of the strike.

”Obviously, PISTON’s transport strike had no effect. So we are not recommending class and work cancellation tomorrow,” Land Transport Franchising and Regulatory Board spokesperson Atty. Aileen Lizada said yesterday.

In a partial field report of transport paralysis midday Monday however, PISTON said 100 per cent of Parañaque and Makati jeepneys participated yesterday while Caloocan-Malabon-Navotas-Valenzuela routes registered 97 per cent participation.

Sta. Mesa, Manila routes registered 95 per cent while Novaliches, Zapote, Anda Circle, Litex, Marikina and the rest of Manila registered 90 per cent respectively, the group said.

Cubao routes registered 80 per cent participation, PISTON added.

In the regions, Nueva Vizcaya, Bulacan, Butuan and General Maria Alvarez (Cavite) registered 100 per cent, PISTON said.

Laguna (95%), Baguio (75%), Davao (95%), Pampanga (98%), Rizal (95%), Albay (95%), Camarines Sur (90%), Masbate (80%), Surigao City (60%) and Cebu (50%) also participated in the strike, the group added.

PISTON and other transport groups are protesting against the phase out of the iconic public transport vehicle and their replacement with brand new units costing from PhP1 to PhP1.8 million each.

“Adjusted for [six %] interest, the government subsidy [of PhP80,000] and payment terms of, the PhP1.6 million can balloon to a payable of almost PhP 2.2 million in seven year,” PISTON said.

“Which means that a jeep has to be paid PhP313,142.86 per year or Php869.84 per day excluding fuel, boundary and other indirect expenses,” the group added.

PISTON sought a dialogue with President Rodrigo Duterte last July to present their counter proposals for the modernization of the mass transport system but were dismissed.

“’Saka na yan! Magwelga muna kayo, dalawang buwan. Bigyan ko pa kayo permit,’ Duterte told us,” PISTON said. # (Raymund B. Villanueva)

Ruta ni Ka Roda

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On the eighth death anniversary of Medardo Roda of the Pinagkaisang Samahan ng mga Tsuper at Opereytor Nationwide (PISTON), we are re-posting this Kodao-produced video documentary of the legendary transport leader.

Ruta ni Ka Roda (Roda’s Route) is a 14-minute documentary about the life of Filipino transport leader Medardo Roda, popularly known as Ka Roda.

He was the longtime chair of the transport group Piston. He gave face to transport workers and fought alongside them for the longest time.

(Kodao Productions/2006 * Script/Direction/Editing: Risa Jopson * Cinematography: Ariel Saturay/Ron Papag/Risa Jopson/Asia Visions * Artistic Directors: Nes Jacinto+/Raymund Villanueva)

Drivers, workers protest jeepney phaseout

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Thousands of public utility jeepney drivers under the No to Jeepeney Phaseout Coalition were joined by workers of Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU) in a protest rally at Mendiola a week before the State of the Nation Address (SONA) of Pres. Rodrigo Duterte.

Among the workers are miners and banana plantation workers from Mindanao regions. They are protesting neoliberal policies and martial law as favoring foreign big business interests.

Workers set up a protest camp at Mendiola leading to the big People’s SONA rally on July 24, 2017.

(Music “Beep, Beep” by Juan de la Cruz Band) Read more

Community decries violent demolition

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Residents of Barangay Calaanan, Caloocan City decried the violent demolition of their homes yesterday and condemned Rep. Egay Erice and the local government unit for unleashing armed police commandos against their community.

Spokespersons of the local Anakpawis chapter reveal that they still have appeals pending before higher courts at the time of the demolition. They said they have not been properly consulted by the local government and they were not informed of any relocation site before the demolition team swooped on their community.

Calaanan, Caloocan City
May 26, 2015

Pambansang Kilos-Protesta, Ikinasa ng mga Tsuper

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  • Mendiola, Manila
    March 24, 2015

    Idinaos ngayong araw ang pambansang kilos-protesta ng mga tsuper na pinangunahan ng Pinagkaisang Samahan ng mga Tsuper at Operator Nationwide o PISTON. Sinabi ni George San Mateo, pambansang tagapangulo ng PISTON, sisingilin at ipapanawagan nila ang pagbibitiw sa pwesto ni Pangulong Aquino dahil sa bigat ng mga kasalanan at pahirap na pinataw nito sa mga drayber at mamamayan sa limang taong panunungkulan nito.

    Ayon kay San Mateo, isasagawa nila sa Metro Manila ang malaking transport caravan protest mula NHA Central Office sa Quezon City Circle patungong Mendiola.

    Ayon pa kay San Mateo, lalong tumindi sa ilalim ni Aquino ang hirap na dinanas ng mga drayber at operators. Kabilang dito ang patuloy na overpricing sa produktong petrolyo na puminsala sa kabuhayan ng mga drayber at mamamayan dahil sa pagtanggi ni Aquino na ibasura ang Oil Deregulation Law, ang 12% VAT sa langis at sa patuloy na pagtanggi ni PNOY na ipatupad ang regulasyon at nasyunalisasyon sa industriya ng langis sa Pilipinas.