Classes suspended

Transport strike set Monday

DAVAO City Mayor Sara Z. Duterte-Carpio yesterday declared the suspension of classes from kindergarten to college on Monday due to the transport strike to be led by Transport of Southern Mindanao for Solidarity, Independence and Nationalism (Transmision-Piston).

Transmision-Piston-Davao spokesperson Edwin Fernandez told Sun. Star Davao in a phone interview yesterday that the strike aims to protest against House Bill 4334 that will have a negative impact on the part of

jeepney operators.

"We will also protest against Department Order 2016, which contains the Omnibus Franchising Guidelines, which dictates the scrapping of public utility vehicles and the trip management scheme which puts power to big operators in handling modernized units," he said in the vernacular.

"Davao supports the planned transport strike this Monday. Classes from kindergarten to college will be suspended," Duterte-Carpio said.

She said that the city fully respects the planned transport strike, adding that the city government of Davao will provide alternative transport options.

"The City Government of Davao will deploy buses to assist passengers. Let us all take this opportunity to observe the streets with fewer jeepneys and more buses as envisioned in the High Priority Bus system project for the Dabawenyos,” she said.

Fernandez said that since Wednesday they have already given Notice of Strike (NOS) to the City Government of Davao, so that it can designate buses for stranded passengers.

He said aside from the city, they have also given NOS to schools, public offices, establishments, to inform them that they will conduct a big transport strike.

Fernandez said they expect 100 percent participation of public utility vehicles within Davao City in the strike.

He said that drivers form different routes will be joining.

"Those who will primary join are those from Bangkal, Ulas, Puan, Matina Pangi, Matina Aplaya, and Toril. Those from Routes 1 to 13 will also support the Transmision Piston strike," Fernandez added.

He said that Sasa route, and public utility vehicles (PUV) travelling to Panacan, Bunawan, and Panabo also committed to join the strike.

The city mayor, however, reminded that crimes committed during the strike will not be tolerated, asking protesters to practice self-restraint in their actions.

Duterte-Carpio added that Traffic Chief Dionisio Abude will be the point person for the city government for the strike.