Transport groups claim success on 3-day transport strike
Member associations of provincial Federation of Iloilo Jeepney Owners and Drivers Association (FIJODA) here declare success over the three-day transport holiday, which ended today, June 18.
In a statement, Mr. Proceso Parreño declared that the 3-day transport strike made a history. "For two decades now, this is the first time that provincial transport organizations sustained a three-day transport holiday with 97% paralysis of operations. The widespread support from the provincial transport groups, the unity and backing of various municipal officials with the Iloilo Provincial government, and the sympathy of our commuters and the people made this transport holiday a success," said Parreño.
Despite pronouncements of some Iloilo City officials that the provincial transport strike has not affected Iloilo City, the economic activity appeared sluggish. Most commercial establishments claim that the number of customers decreased. Iloilo City jeepneys have a few passengers and there is hardly any who made transactions at the Iloilo Provincial Capitol. Products from various towns like vegetables and fruits were not brought to the Iloilo Terminal Market.
FIJODA denounces the callousness of City Councilor Erwin "Tong-tong" Plagata, Chairperson of the Committee on Transportation of the Iloilo City. "We have been earnest for the past few years in requesting from Councilor Plagata to listen to our pleas, but to no avail. We haven’t received any sincere response from the committee nor from the Iloilo City government to discuss our concerns regarding the PBO," lamented Parreño.
Also, the Pinag-isang Samahan ng mga Tsuper at Operators Nationwide (PISTON)-Panay declared their support to the transport strike. "The excessive collection of penalties is too onerous for our poor drivers who can barely live with their daily earnings. The weekly increase of oil prices and the high cost of commercial rice in the market have already brought us in great economic misery courtesy of Pres. Gloria Arroyo. We hope that Mayor Jerry Treñas can take a decisive step to resolve this issue on PBO," said Edgar Salarda of PISTON-Panay.
FIJODA expressed their gratitude to those who supported and sympathized with their cause. But vowed to continue their protest actions. "The transport strike is only the first phase of our fight. We will commence the next stage on June 19. We have unanimously decided not to enter and use the city-designated terminals at Mohon, Arevalo and at across Christ the King Memorial Park, Jaro. Southern line jeeps will have their terminal at Oton, Iloilo while those from central lines will be at the Pavia Terminal, Pavia, Iloilo", stressed Parreño.
FIJODA is confident that their protest actions will yield positive results that will serve the interests and welfare of the people from the city and province of Iloilo.