Mass Transport Strike Set Today

The drivers of public jeepneys in Metro Cebu are reportedly set to stage an unverified mass transport strike 8 am today to protest the implementation of P5,000 ‘illegal stopping’ fine.

A PUJ driver said the protest is not intended for the P10 fare rate they earlier asked.

As of 5 pm Wednesday, MetroCebuNews (MCN) tried to verify this development from the Land Transportation Office (LTO) but to no avail.

Edito Himpeso, of the City Integrated Transport Cooperative Inc. (CITRASCO) echoed information around 5 pm Wednesday. Himpeso is flying Mandaue-Cebu City route. Hempiso said that Wednesday is the specific date the authorities will implement the P5,000 fine on “No Stopping” violations.

He said the confidential move of PUJ drivers has been hatched few months ago after the passage of the said law.

Hempiso said they did not inform the LTO office and, even the traffic enforcers and other local government units (LGUs) of their plans.

The strike, which includes PUJs drivers from Cities of Carcar and Danao, will surely paralyze thousands of students and workers unless the concerned LGUs will deploy their government vehicles, Himpeso said.

Hempiso also revealed that if any of their co-drivers who will not cooperate, they will suffer the consequences as they will apply force against them.

“Wala mi laing gipangayo kundi supakon namo ang labihan ka mahal nga multa,wala kami moreklamo sa pletihan apan naa sa multa nga bug-at ra kaayo”, Hempiso said.

The said law also provides a 60 day suspension on any violators.

Hempiso also said that while they are at strike, they will meet with the LTO chief.