Transport strike fizzles out in Bicol

JEEPNEY STRIKE. Tricycles and taxi cabs continue to ply the streets as jeepney drivers go on strike in Legazpi City on Monday (Nov. 25, 2019). The Concerned Drivers and Operators-Pinagkaisang Samahan ng mga Tsuper at Operator Nationwide (Condor-Piston) launched the strike to protest the government’s public utility vehicle or PUV Modernization Program. (Photo courtesy of Albay Public Safety and Emergency Management Office)

LEGAZPI CITY -- The Albay Public Safety and Emergency Management Office (APSEMO) said the suspension of classes in all levels in both public and private schools and universities in the province has cushioned the impact of the transport strike on Monday.

Cedric Daep, APSEMO chief, in a phone interview said aside from the suspension of classes by local government units and other government agencies, free rides were also given to commuters by the LGUs.

Daep added that the protest action failed to cripple transportation because even if the jeepney drivers were on strike, “trimobiles” and taxi cabs still plied the major streets to provide rides to commuters.

Some commuters who got affected by the strike were government and private employees whose workplace is located in the cities of Tabaco, Ligao and Legazpi where the regional government center and central business district of the province are situated.

The Concerned Drivers and Operators-Pinagkaisang Samahan ng mga Tsuper at Operator Nationwide (Condor-Piston) launched the strike to protest the government’s public utility vehicle or PUV Modernization Program. (PNA)