Transport groups are staging a strike Monday, March 23, to demand fair and immediate distribution of government aid to all drivers, and for government measures to bring down fuel prices.
The Police Regional Office Negros Island Region (PRO NIR), through the Bacolod City Police Office, has activated comprehensive security preparations for the strike, while Mayor Greg Gasataya announced that the city government will provide free rides for stranded passengers.
Joining the protest are members of the United Negros Drivers and Operators Center-Pagkakaisa ng mga Samahan ng Tsuper at Operator Nationwide (UNDOC-PISTON), Bacolod Alliance for Commuters Operators Drivers Negros Island-Manibela (BACOD-MANIBELA) and some tricycle and taxi groups.
They will stage a rally at the flyover in Barangay Bata, Bacolod, from Flyover 5 a.m. to 9 a.m. followed by a caravan to the Bacolod City Government Center where they will hold a program, BACOD-MANIBELA president Rudy Catedral said.
They will then seek a dialog with Bacolod Mayor Greg Gasataya, he said.
They may resume public transport operations in the afternoon, Catedral said.
Not all transportation groups are joining the strike.
Catedral said BACOD-MANIBELA submitted a list of 380 driver-members to be included as recipients of government assistance and the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board only approved 240.
“Even my name disappeared from the approved list,” Catedral said.
The subsidy should be released directly to the drivers to ensure that they all receive assistance, he said.
Aside from providing aid to all drivers, Eric Bendoy, secretary-general of UNDOC-PISTON, said government should take measures to bring down the soaring fuel prices.
He reiterated that the excise tax and Valued Added Tax on fuel should be lifted to bring down prices.
In anticipation of the activity, heightened police visibility has been implemented across major routes, identified convergence areas, transport terminals, and key establishments along the planned protest caravan route, a PRO NIR press statement said Sunday.
Police personnel have been strategically deployed to ensure public safety, manage traffic flow, and maintain peace and order, it said.
PRO NIR has also intensified its intelligence monitoring efforts to closely track developments and preempt any potential security concerns.
Coordination between intelligence units and ground commanders remains continuous to ensure a proactive and calibrated response throughout the activity, it said.
All security personnel are in place, including Civil Disturbance Management (CDM) units placed on standby for possible augmentation, the PRO NIR said.
As part of the public assistance component, patrol vehicles are being readied for the Philippine National Police’s “Libreng Sakay” initiative to support commuters who may be affected by the transport strike, it said.
PBrig. Gen.Arnold Thomas C Ibay, PRO NIR director, said “We are fully prepared to ensure the safety of the public and the orderly conduct of tomorrow’s activity. Our personnel are on the ground, our systems are in place, and our coordination with stakeholders remains strong. We call on everyone to cooperate and uphold peace and discipline throughout the event”.*
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