Piston claims paralyzing 80 to 100 percent of jeepney routes

Jeepney drivers and operators trooped to Aurora Boulevard in Cubao, Quezon City, on Monday and demanded the junking of the government’s jeepney modernization program.

George San Mateo, chair of Pinagkaisang Samahan ng mga Tsuper at Opereytor Nationwide (Piston), claimed that as of 9 a.m. their mass action had paralyzed 80 to 100 percent of transport routes in various parts in Manila, Rizal, Navotas, Quezon City, Makati City, among others.

By noon, he said that about 90 percent of transportion nationwide had been paralyzed.

“Naparalyze natin ang jeepney routes ng 90 percent… Ito ay sa kabila ng idineklara ng Malacañang na walang pasok nationwide. Matagumpay po ang ating strike,” San Mateo said.

Stranded passengers waiting for jeepneys going to Rizal province. Photo by CATHY MIRANDA/INQUIRER.net

Transportation routes in the Natioanl Capital Region, specifically in CAMANAVA, Novaliches, Makati city, Parañaque City, Zapote, Anda circle routes, Litex route, Ramon Magsaysay (Sta. Mesa routes), Marikina City, Cubao and Manila, were 80 to 100 percent paralyzed, according to San Mateo.

Routes in provinces like Laguna, Baguio, Davao City, Nueva Vizcaya, Pampanga, Rizal, Bulacan, Albay, Camarines Sur, Masbate, Butuan City, GMA Cavite, Surigao and Cebu City were also 75 to 100 percent paralyzed, he added.

The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board contradicted San Mateo’s claims saying the strike was barely felt in most of parts of the country.

The simultaneous rallies in separate protest centers began at 6 a.m.

Members from Kilusang Mayo Uno, Kadamay and Gabriela also supported the transport strike. /cbb

Photo by CATHY MIRANDA/INQUIRER.net