All set for nationwide transport strike

National

TRANSPORT group Piston announced that a nationwide transport strike is set on Thursday, March 19, to protest rising fuel prices and push for government action to help drivers affected by the oil crisis.

Piston president Mody Floranda said both traditional and modernized public utility vehicle drivers are expected to join the protest.

“Even those who have modernized their vehicles will join the protest because of the big income loss brought by the fuel price hike,” Floranda said in a Philstar report.

The group is calling on President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to issue an executive order suspending excise and value-added taxes on petroleum products.

Floranda also urged the government to roll back fuel prices to ₱55 per liter and repeal the Oil Deregulation Law, which he said allows oil companies to control fuel prices.

Piston said it will file a petition before the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) seeking a provisional ₱5 fare increase for public utility vehicles.

Meanwhile, motorcycle taxi operators have also filed a petition for higher fares through the United Transportation Coalition Philippines Inc. on March 12.

Floranda said drivers consuming around 30 liters of diesel daily are facing heavy losses as diesel prices reach ₱120 per liter. He added that the ₱5,000 government cash aid would not even cover two days of expenses.

Around 100,000 members of Piston are expected to take part in the strike, which has also gained support from progressive group Bayan.(Adriane Josef E. Cabase, USJ-R Comm Intern)