Strike paralyzes Panay transport
ILOILO CITY—Public transport was paralyzed in most of Panay Island on Monday, the start of a two-day strike against oil price increases, according to organizers.
The Kahublagan Kontra Kartel (KKK), a coalition of transport groups and people’s organizations, said 95 percent of passenger jeepneys stayed off the streets as of 10 a.m. in Iloilo, Capiz and Aklan.
It crippled public transport in Iloilo and Roxas cities, and parts of Antique province, Edgar Salarda, regional coordinator of the Pinag-isang Samahan ng mga Tsuper at Operator Nationwide (Piston-Panay), said by phone.
The protesters were demanding the scrapping of the 12 percent valued-added tax (VAT) on oil products, repeal of the Oil Deregulation Law, and for the government to investigate and stop the alleged overpricing of oil products by P7.50 per liter.
“We want to express our dismay to the giant oil companies for their continued profiteering amid the economic hardship we face each day,” Nick Dalisay, president of the Iloilo City Alliance of Drivers Association (Icada), said in a phone interview.
In Iloilo City, 95 to 97 percent of jeepneys refused to ply their routes, Dalisay said. Except for private vehicles and a few taxis, the streets were clear of traffic by noon.
However, operations of the city and provincial governments and in shopping malls continued although few people were transacting business.
Government trucks ferried City Hall and Capitol employees. Those who still failed to report for work were excused.
In Aklan, 98 percent of jeepneys, small buses and tricycles were off the streets, according to Felix Sefres Jr., president of the Federation of Aklan Public Transport Inc.
In Capiz, transport and militant groups declared total paralysis of public transport.
The groups estimated that oil companies would lose some P19,037,600 from sales if the majority of public utility jeepneys did not ply the streets of the city and province of Iloilo for two days. They based their estimate on the number of jeepneys and their total daily consumption of diesel fuel.
The government has started to give out fuel subsidy cards in Manila on Monday to help transport operators and drivers cope with the oil price increases, but the transport groups say the measure is not enough to cushion the impact of soaring prices of oil products.
“The government subsidy has been offset by the latest oil price increases. A more meaningful and doable option for the government is to suspend VAT collection on oil process for three to six months to give immediate relief for our suffering people,” Salarda said.
“While VAT is on suspension, the government can also take steps to gradually take control of the oil industry for the long-term benefit of the people,” he said. <strong><em>With a report from Felipe Celino, Inquirer Visayas</em></strong>
