Jeepney strike paralyzes public transport in Iloilo, Aklan

Stranded passegers wait to get a ride in Barangay Maguikay in Mandaue City, Cebu after jeepney drivers went on strike on Monday. Jeepney strikes also happened in different parts of the country, including Aklan and Iloilo, on Feb. 27, 2017. (PHOTO BY TONEE DESPOJO / CDN)

ILOILO CITY — Most of the public transport ground to a halt in Iloilo and Aklan due to a strike of transport groups protesting the planned phaseout of public utility vehicles at least 15 years old.

The strike affected 95 percent of public utility jeepneys in Iloilo City and almost all routes in the entire province, said Edgar Salarda, spokesperson of the Pinag-isang Samahan ng mga Tsuper at Opereytor Nationwide (Piston) on Panay Island.

Only taxicabs and a few jeepneys plied their routes despite the earlier declaration of some transport groups that they would not join the strike.

Classes were suspended in all levels in Iloilo City and in municipalities while government vehicles ferried employees and stranded passengers.

In Aklan, public transportation between the capital town of Kalibo and the eastern and western areas of Aklan was paralyzed.

Few tricycles plied routes within Kalibo compared to normal days, said Kim Sin Tugna, Piston-Aklan coordinator.  SFM