PISTON-Cebu claims success of picket rally
A group of public utility jeepney drivers claimed success in holding a half-day picket rally yesterday in Metro Cebu, saying it was able to channel its sentiments to transport officials because of the rally.
The Pinagkaisang Samahan ng mga Tsuper at Operators Nationwide-Cebu, a militant transport group, went on with their picket rally yesterday even if its mother organization in Manila decided to cancel a scheduled two-day transport strike on December 4 and 5.
“Successful ang among gipahigayon ang picket rally. Walay disruption sa atong transportasyon ug naka-dialogue mi sa mga regional nga opisyales sa LTFRB (Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board),” said PISTON-Cebu Chairman Greg Perez.
Perez said the rallyists, which numbered about a hundred, joined a boodle fight at LTFRB-7 office where they ate dried fish, rice, and hard-boiled egg with LTFRB-7 Director Ahmed Cuizon.
Cuizon, in an interview, said he told the rallyists to form a cooperative in order for them to avail of the loan that will be extended to transport groups once the Public Utility Vehicles Modernization program will be in full swing next year.
Details about the loan program are still being finalized at this point, said Cuizon.
Perez said the picket aimed to express their concerns about the modernization program, which will see jeepneys aged 15 years and above barred from plying the streets.
Perez said drivers wanted to be assured of the government's concrete plan for them when the phaseout of old jeepneys will be implemented to pave the way for modern and environmental-friendly jeepneys.
“Mao na among gustong mahibaw-an unsay mahitabo kung i-phase out na ang mga karaan nga mga jeepneys ug unsay buhaton aron maka-avail mi sa loan sa government ug pila pud ang among bayranan kung affordable ba,” Perez said.
The half-day picket rally was joined by jeepney drivers, as well as by members of the urban poor group. The rally started at the regional offices National Housing Authority and the Presidential Commission for the Urban Poor, and proceeded to the LTFRB-7 office before noon.
Cuizon reported that despite of the picket rally of PISTON-Cebu, there was no reported transportation disruption anywhere in Metro Cebu.
“Wa ta nakadawat og report nga naay mga pasahero mga na-stranded tungod sa ilang gipahigayon nga picket rally,” Cuizon said.