This story
was taken from Bulatlat, the Philippines's alternative weekly
newsmagazine (www.bulatlat.com, www.bulatlat.net, www.bulatlat.org).
Vol. IV, No. 43,
November 28 - December 4, 2004
The
transport strike staged Nov. 25 by the cause-oriented group Pinag-isang Samahan
ng mga Tsuper at Opereytor Nationwide (Piston or United Nationwide Association
of Drivers and Operators) paralyzed about 80 percent of public transportation in
many cities and town centers throughout the country.
As
early as 7 a.m. that day, the strike had already crippled 90 percent of public
transport in the areas of Caloocan City, Malabon, Navotas, and Valenzuela City
in north Metro Manila; 90 percent in the route encompassing Pacita Complex in
San Pedro, Laguna to Alabang, Muntinlupa City; 90 percent of transportation to
Malanday, Marikina City; 90 percent in the route Cogeo-Padilla-Cubao in Quezon
City; and 100 percent in Pasay City as well as in Paco and Divisoria and the
port area in Manila.
In
Makati City, where Piston has no organizational presence, the various drivers’
and operators’ groups initiated their own strike, paralyzing 100 percent of
public transport there.
Some
operators of pier- and airport-bound ten-wheelers and other trucks also took
part in the strike.
A
total of 300,000 drivers participated in the strike in Metro Manila alone,
Piston said in various news releases.
In the provinces, the strike crippled 100 percent of public transport in Cabanatuan and Gapan Cities, Nueva Ecija; 60 percent in Metro Cebu, 98 percent in Aklan, 99 percent in Antique, 100 percent in Guimaras, and 98 percent in Iloilo. Likewise the strike paralyzed 90 percent of public transport in the entire Bicol region as well as in many cities of Mindanao, southern Philippines. Bulatlat
© 2004 Bulatlat ■ Alipato Publications
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