Transport strike felt in parts of Laguna

INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

SAN PEDRO CITY — At least two routes in Laguna were reportedly “paralyzed” on Monday as jeepney drivers and operators participated in a transport strike to protest the government’s modernization program of the industry.

Rommel Palacol, of the Laguna provincial action center, reported fewer passenger jeepneys plying in Calamba City and those going to the capital town of Sta. Cruz.

“By ‘paralyzed’, we mean there is currently a shortage in the number of passenger jeepneys,” Palacol said in an interview past 9 a.m.

The regional Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board earlier issued an advisory identifying areas that might be affected by the protest on Monday and Tuesday. This included this city, the cities of Biñan, Sta. Rosa, Calamba, and the town of Sta. Cruz, all in Laguna.

Local authorities are confident the strike organized by the transport coalition Samahan ng Tsuper at Operator ng Pilipinas Genuine Organization (Stop and Go), will not result in stranded passengers.

“Normally, our jeepney drivers here would join the strike only after their morning trips. School children and workers have already gone to their schools and workplaces by then,” Palacol said.

He said passenger buses and tricycles were not part of the strike “but we are monitoring possible fare increases by tricycles.”

Local government units in the affected cities and towns have arranged for vehicles and military trucks to provide free rides to commuters affected by the strike. /cbb