Transport strike cripples 3 Bicol provinces

LEGAZPI CITY: The one- day public transportation strike stranded commuters in Albay, Camarines Sur and Camarines Norte provinces on Monday.

Ramon Rescovilla, deputy secretary general of the Concerned Drivers and Operators ( Condor- Piston) in Bicol, spearheaded the rally, joining with the region- wide transport strike opposing the total phase out of old jeepneys and the implementation of the Train Law.

The militant groups also called on President Rodrigo Duterte to repeal the Train Law and push through with the peace talks with the National Democratic Front ( NDF).

Ramon Piel Abcede, Department of Education regional director, said during the Regional Peace and Order Council meeting on Monday that the man- made disaster ( strike) affecting the students is different from Mayon volcano’s natural eruption.

“The transport strike affected more than 500,000 learners in both private and public students in Albay province alone,” Abceda said.

Classes in the cities of Legazpi, Tabaco and Ligao, as well as in 11 towns were cancelled because of the strike.

Legaspi City Mayor Noel Rosal ordered the suspension of classes in all levels in public and private schools to ensure the safety of the students in the region’s capital and university belt area.

In Daraga town, Mayor Carlwyn Go Baldo, also suspended classes in all levels in anticipation of the 24- hour transport strike.

Rescovilla said the transport strike in Albay totally paralyzed transportation in the city as it drew100 percent participation of local jeepneys plying routes across the province. UV Express drivers plying routes in Albay, Camarines Sur and Camarines Norte also joined the strike.

Tricycles in Legazpi City, Ligao, Tabaco in Albay took advantage of the strike, charging exorbitant fares.