Nationwide Transport Strike Linked To Destabilize Duterte Government
President Rodrigo Duterte has suspended work in government
offices and classes in all levels of public and private schools nationwide on
Monday, October 16, at the start of a two-day transport strike that some
officials said were aimed at destabilizing the administration.
The Office of the Executive Secretary said October 17,
Tuesday, was not included in the suspension order, and said work in the private
sector was subject to the discretion of employers.
Presidential spokesman Ernesto Abella said the suspension of
work and classes was aimed at minimizing public inconvenience arising from the
planned nationwide transportation strike, which has been called to protest a
modernization program that would phase out old jeepneys and compel drivers to
buy newer, more expensive models.
But the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board
(LTFRB) said Sunday it received reports that the transportation strike is meant
to destabilize the government.
“We are receiving reports that the transport strike tomorrow
led by Piston will be supported by other left-leaning groups allegedly... to
destabilize government. On the part of government we will be providing Kalayaan
rides as well as private buses,” LTFRB board member Aileen Lizada said in a
text message to reporters.
The Pinagkaisang Samahan ng mga Tsuper at Operator
Nationwide (Piston) is set to hold the two-day strike nationwide beginning
Monday to oppose the government’s public utility vehicle (PUV) modernization
program, which they claim is a jeepney phaseout plan that would require the
purchase of newer, more expensive models.
Among the groups supporting this week’s nationwide transport
strike are Kadamay, Migrante, League of Filipino Students, and Kilusang Mayo
Uno.
The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority earlier said
that the strike will not paralyze the transport sector.
It added that it will deploy trucks, ambulances, and rescue
teams on Monday and Tuesday to provide free rides and assistance to stranded
commuters.
In Manila, Mayor Joseph Estrada placed the city’s emergency
units on standby alert to assist commuters and motorists who might be affected
by the strike.
Estrada said the city government will field trucks,
ambulances and rescue teams on the days of the strike, as well as traffic and
security personnel to help the public.
“While we are confident the transport strikes will not
totally paralyze public transportation in the City of Manila, we still have to
prepare,” Estrada said.
If the situation requires it, Estrada said, city hall and
the Manila Police District have available vehicles to ferry stranded commuters.
Nationwide Transport Strike Linked To Destabilize Duterte Government
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October 16, 2017
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