70% of Bicol transport groups not joining strike

LEGAZPI CITY — About 70 percent of the transport groups in the Bicol region would not be joining the week-long transportation strike, the Regional Cluster Organization on Public Utilities said Sunday, March 5.

Alex Bañares, chairman of Tabaco-Legazpi Transport Cooperative and Tabaco Women’s Transport Service Cooperative and president of the Regional Cluster Organization on Public Utilities in Bicol, said the flow of transportation would not be paralyzed from March 6 to 10 as most of the transport cooperatives in the region announced that they would still operate and serve the riding public.

“The modernization/rationalization program of government is actually okay, some are just afraid of change,” Bañares told the Inquirer.

He said the transport cooperative in Naga City and other towns in Camarines Sur would still operate 100 percent.

About 23 modern jeepneys with Legazpi-Tabaco and vice versa routes started to operate on December 20, 2020, in Albay.

“We’re okay, and can still pay dues for the bank [loans]. We are also able to provide necessary revenue,” he added.

Vince Casilihan, information officer of Bayan Bicol, said on Saturday that about 500 public utility vehicles would be joining the strike in Albay, Sorsogon, and Camarines Norte.

Albay Governor Edcel Greco Lagman said in a statement on Saturday, March 4, that they were planning to deploy buses and coasters to provide assistance to the stranded commuters.

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