Piston cancels transport strike

HEEDING the call of Senator Grace Poe, transport group Pinagkaisang Samahan ng mga Tsuper at Operator Nationwide (Piston) has called off the two-day nationwide transport strike set for Monday and Tuesday, December 4 and 5.

At a press conference, Piston head George Mateo said that instead of a transport strike, Piston will stage a caravan protest against the jeepney phaseout program on Monday, December 4, from Quezon City to Mendiola.

Mateo said their decision was prompted by Senator Poe’s appeal to cancel their transport strike and instead sit down with the senators in a Senate hearing on Thursday, December 7, on the proposed jeepney modernization program.

On Saturday, Poe said she will file a resolution urging the Senate committee on public services to meet with the transport agencies opposing the government’s planned jeepney phaseout.

The senator said she understands that there are issues in the program that still needs to be examined by the transportation sector.

In a statement on Sunday, December 3, Poe reiterated her vow to look into the modernization program.

“As I have committed, I will call a hearing to discuss with all the stakeholders issues confronting the transport sector, including the planned jeepney modernization program with the view of addressing their concerns,” she said.

“Isaalang-alang natin ang kapakanan ng bawat isa - jeepney driver, operator, mananakay at karaniwang mamamayan - tungo sa paghahanap ng solusyon (We shall consider the plight of everyone - jeepney driver, operator, commuters and ordinary citizens - in our quest for a solution),” she added.

The jeepney modernization program aims to phase out jeepneys that are 15 years and older and replace them with new models.

Last October, Piston led a two-day strike prompting Malacañang to suspend work and classes nationwide.