...but fails to cripple city's economic activity
The transport strike in Iloilo City initiated by the Pinag-Isang Samahan ng mga Tsuper at Operator Nationwide (PISTON) yesterday failed to cripple the business transactions here.
Mayor Jerry Treñas said the strike did not affect economic activity in the city because Iloilo City Alliance of Jeepney Owners and Drivers and Association (ICAJODA), comprising most of the city loop jeepneys, did not join the strike.
Taxi and tricycle units also did not participate in the strike.
Transactions at the Iloilo City Hall as well as in other government offices were not disrupted. City hall employees and department heads even attended the flag ceremony prior to their daily office works.
Long lines of people were also seen at the National Statistics Office (NSO) despite the transport strike. It was learned that people who want to avail of the NSOs service were already around as early as 5 in the morning. Malls, banks and business establishments also remained open.
Treñas said the city, in fact, did not field vehicles in the different city plazas to fetch the employees since there was sufficient transport services.
Meanwhile, Iloilo City Police Office (ICPO) Director Sr. Supt. Wesley Barayuga said the transport strike has no effect to the city because of the availability of transport services from the citys different routes.
In his observation, only 40 percent of city drivers joined in the strike.
Though the strike created no effect to the city, the police prepared vehicles to be used for any untoward events. Six-wheeler police trucks and multi-cabs were put on standby for immediate deployment, said Barayuga.
Police were also fielded on the different streets to maintain peace and order.
As of 3 pm, police received no complaints on the unruly strikers or protesting drivers. Members of the militant groups were stationed in different districts in the city to create awareness among the drivers and the commuters in different issues not only on the increasing prices of petroleum products.