Classes suspended on Monday in Albay due to transport strike

LEGAZPI CITY – Some local government units and universities in Albay province have declared suspension of classes for Monday in anticipation of the transport strike that will affect the Bicol region.

Classes in all levels in private and public schools were suspended in Legazpi City, the towns of Guinobatan, Sto. Domingo, Daraga and Camalig.

Governor Al Francis Bichara, said in an advisory that the suspension of classes would be upon the discretion of every local government unit based on the analysis of the situation.

Classes in all levels were also suspended in Aquinas University of Legazpi.

Ramon Rescovilla, deputy secretary general of the Concerned Drivers and Operators (Condor-Piston) in Bicol said they were expecting at least 90 percent participation of drivers and operators of the transport groups in Albay, Camarines Sur, Camarines Norte and Masbate.

Separate caravan activities would be staged in the provinces of Sorsogon and Catanduanes for the transport strike which will start at 12 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Monday.

Rescovilla said the phase out of 15-year-old passenger jeepneys and the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) Law really affected their main livelihood.

“We lose almost P450 a day because of this TRAIN Law, an amount that is supposedly for our family. Only the petroleum companies benefit from it,” he said.