Bacolod City will continue providing free rides to commuters on Tuesday, Sept. 29, as a nationwide three-day transport strike over rising fuel prices enters its second day.
Mayor Greg Gasataya directed the City Administrator’s Office and City Engineer’s Office to continue the city’s Libre Sakay operations following a meeting with transport leaders on Monday, Sept. 28.
Free rides will be available at designated pickup points in Bata near the Mormons Church, Alijis at the Circumferential Road crossing near 7-Eleven, Handumanan at the barangay gym, Sum-ag near Phoenix Gas Station and Granada at the barangay hall.
The city government said two vehicles would be deployed to the Bata pickup point.
During the dialogue, Gasataya acknowledged the financial strain caused by rising fuel prices, saying the increases have also affected the city government’s fuel budget.
He assured transport leaders that the Bacolod City Police Office would coordinate with the local government to maintain public safety during the strike.
Rudy Catedral, president of the Bacolod Alliance of Commuters, Operators, and Drivers-Negros Island (BACODNI-MANIBELA), called for the temporary suspension of the 12 percent value-added tax and excise taxes on petroleum products.
Catedral also sought local government assistance for operators facing vehicle rehabilitation costs required for franchise renewals and requested immediate inspections of local gas stations.
Transport leaders from BACODNI-MANIBELA and the Kabacod Negros Transport Organization/Coalition (KNETCO) assured the mayor that some public utility vehicles would continue operating on city routes on Tuesday.
They said the partial operations were intended to help workers, students and other commuters reach their destinations despite the protest.
KNETCO president Lilian Sembrano also expressed appreciation for the city government’s engagement with transport groups during the strike.
The nationwide transport strike is scheduled to run for three days as participating groups protest rising petroleum prices and seek government intervention.*
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