Transport strike on despite DoTC chief Roxas’ appeal

MANILA, Philippines — Transportation and Communications Secretary Manuel “Mar” Roxas tried but failed to stop transport groups from holding the strike Monday morning and which has caused heavy traffic in parts of Metro Manila, a Radyo Inquirer 990AM report said.

The report said that Roxas paid a visit to the protesters, led by the Pinagkaisang Samahan ng Tsuper at Operator Nationwide (Piston), along Aurora Boulevard in Cubao, Quezon City to explain why the value added tax on petroleum products could not be suspended.

In talks with Piston leader, George San Mateo, Roxas said that VAT being added to the overall tax collection of the government paid for its programs as well as services of its workers, according to the report.

Roxas also denied that the “Big 3” (Pilipinas Shell, Chevron Philippines and Petron) oil firms were monopolizing pricing in the country.

He however said that President Benigno Aquino III had ordered the Departments of Energy and Justice to investigate the alleged overpricing of certain petroleum products.

The DoTC secretary was tasked by Aquino to speak with the protesters, the report said.

The report said that commuters have started walking in the Cubao area.

Meanwhile, police are trying to have the rallyists along España Boulevard and Dela Fuenta Street in Sampaloc, Manila move as they were causing traffic build-up in the area, occupying one lane of the road as reinforcements from the Manila Police District’s Station 4 arrived.