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BY RANIE AZUE and MAE SINGUAY
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Monday, October 16, 2017
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BACOLOD City – The United Negros Drivers and Operators Center (UNDOC) will not join the two-day transport strike today and tomorrow.
But UNDOC secretary-general Diego Malacad said they are one with other transport groups in being against the planned phaseout of public utility jeepneys (PUJs) in the country.
Malacad said they will not be on strike “out of respect” for the ongoing celebration of the MassKara Festival.
As an alternative, Malacad said they will conduct indignation programs to educate the public the reason behind their opposition for the PUJ phaseout, which is endorsed by President Rodrigo Duterte.
“The PUJ phaseout is anti-poor and anti-public transport groups. It only favors giant transport businesses,” Malacad said.
UNDOC is the local affiliate of Pinagkaisahang Samahan ng mga Tsuper at Operators Nationwide (PISTON).
PISTON national president George San Mateo said, “Duterte has not only rejected our demand to junk the previous Aquino administration’s PUJ phaseout program, he is now even rushing its implementation to complete the monopoly takeover of our livelihood by his big business cronies and foreign auto industry giants.”
PISTON, Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU) and other transport and commuters’ groups under the No to Jeepney Phaseout Coalition will participate in the strike.
KMU said the PUJ phaseout would negatively affect the livelihood of over 6,000 drivers and operators nationwide.
The PUJ phaseout, which will be implemented by the Department of Transportation, will start in January next year.
It will force PUJ drivers and operators to purchase at least 10 new units valued at an estimated P1.6 million each.
The units will be operated under a fleet management scheme by transport companies.
Fare collection will be through Beep cards that are being used in the Metro Rail Transit and Light Rail Transit systems in the country.
Yesterday, Malacañang suspended all classes in public and private schools, as well as work in government offices today.
Mayor Evelio Leonardia also issued an executive order cancelling classes in schools and work government offices in the city./PN
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