Tired of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s inability to control runaway fuel prices, public transport drivers launched another nationwide strike on Thursday, rendering parts of Metro Manila and other major cities paralyzed.
As the government mulls additional energy-saving measures such as expanding its four-day workweek scheme, transport workers again suspended operations for the second straight week.
Groups such as Piston, Manibela, Alliance of Concerned Transport Organizations, and local bus cooperatives refused to ply their routes since early morning and instead gathered in “strike centers” to condemn the government for its “tepid response” to the country’s fuel crisis.
Piston president Mody Floranda said they decided on another two-day strike in defense of their livelihood.
With diesel prices nearing triple their pump prices since the Middle East war started in late February, jeepney drivers are finding it impossible to earn even after driving for 12 hours straight.
“We also blame President Marcos for his refusal to cut taxes on oil products that could have mitigated the impacts of the oil crisis,” Floranda said.
With more transport organizations participating in today’s strike, many parts of the capital Metro Manila experienced light to empty traffic in what used to be gridlocked thoroughfares.
Paralysis of public transportation as of noontime ranged from 40% in Pasig City to 100% in parts of Southern Tagalog Region.
The streets of Southern Luzon region of Bicol were also empty of jeepneys and buses as of mid-morning.
Piston also reported 100% paralysis of public transportation in major Visayan cities Bacolod, Kalibo and Iloilo.
The southern island of Mindanao also registered 100% paralysis in General Santos City.
The drivers demanded that Marcos impose price caps on fuel prices inasmuch as most oil companies are unwilling to shoulder part of the burden brought by the energy crisis.
“We cannot have more of palliative measures from Marcos, more so that the war in the Middle East is not showing signs of ending soon,” Floranda said.
The Philippines is the first country in the world to declare a “State of National Energy Emergency” as petroleum supplies are dwindling while pump prices had been on a drastic rise for the fourth straight week.
Piston said Marcos should remove all taxes on oil products and repeal the Oil Deregulation Law.
The transport strike will continue until tomorrow, Friday. # (Raymund B. Villanueva)
