PISTON holds transport strike, calls for lower fuel prices, higher fare hike

September 29 ------ Transport group PISTON started its two-day transport strike as they called for lower prices of fuel products and higher fare increase.

On Aurora Boulevard in Cubao, Quezon City, PISTON members gathered early for their protest action, according to a report by Ivan Mayrina on Unang Balita. Among PISTON's demands are to bring the price of diesel back to P55 per liter, remove the excise tax and value-added tax (VAT) on petroleum products, and repeal the Oil Deregulation Law.

The PISTON members urged other jeepney drivers to join them in their protest action. Some joined them while others continued plying their routes. One PISTON member, Celso Nabora, said the fare hike that took effect on Monday was not enough when compared to the rise in the prices of fuel products over the past months — despite the rollback in fuel prices on Tuesday. "Sobrang pagtataas ng mga produktong petrolyo. Ang saya-saya po ng pagtataas eh. Ang laking insulto sa aming mga driver (ng fare hike). Ano naman magagawa ng piso?" he said.

Nabora said they are not asking for a very high fare increase, but only for the right amount. "Hindi kami humihiling ng dagdag pasahe na napakataas. Ilagay sa tama na lebel," he said. "Ang kailangan natin hindi pagtataas sana eh. Ibaba nila ang presyo ng produktong petrolyo," Nabora added.

Nabora also apologized to commuters who may experience difficulty finding rides because of the strike, asking for their understanding as drivers push for their demands. Police were deployed in the area to monitor the protest and help maintain traffic flow. No tension or major disturbance was reported so far.

Members of PISTON also conducted a protest action in Pasig City, according to Super Radyo dzBB reporter Mark Makalalad. PISTON is set to hold a larger mobilization on Tuesday, including a motorcade and a mass gathering at Welcome Rotonda before proceeding to Mendiola in Manila.

The transport strike comes a day after another transport group, Manibela, staged its own protest over rising fuel prices and other concerns on Monday.

Source: gmanetwork.com