Majority of the jeepney drivers did not take part in the second day of the nationwide strike

                     Majority of the jeepney drivers did not participate in the second day of the nationwide strike staged by militant transport groups led by Pinagkaisang Samahan ng Tsuper at Operator Nationwide (PISTON) in the southern Metro Manila.

                      Superintendent Jenny Tecson, chief of Southern Police District (SPD)’s Public Information Office, said as of 2 p.m. today, only 30 members of Piston-affiliated groups staged various protests in Las Piñas and Taguig cities.

                      At least 20 jeepney drivers and operators held two separate rallies along Zapote Viaduct and SM Southmall in Las Piñas City as early as 9 a.m. The groups, led by Romeo Benolirao and Jerry Riponte of PISTON reiterated their resistance to the government’s jeepney modernization program as they said it would only benefit the big corporations and hurt the small-time operators and passengers.
They emphasized that even the jeepney fare would reach as much as P20 once the modernization program was fully implemented, which would be a big burden to the commuting public.

                      In Taguig City, some 10 operators, drivers and members of Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU) were also monitored as they conducted a rally along Champaca Street in Barangay Western Bicutan. They also pleaded the government to junk the modernization program.

                     No protest was seen in Pasay City as of 2 p.m. and there were a few jeepneys who decided to operate. One driver chose to work today and not participate in the strike as he has to earn money. He said he had no earnings when he participated in the strike yesterday.

                     Tecson said two trucks from the local government of Las Piñas, two from the Taguig LGU, and 10 mobile cars were deployed as mobility augmentation to aid stranded passengers.
The SPD also established 12 police assistance desks (PADs) to assist those who are stranded.
Various militant transport groups staged the two-day strike starting yesterday to denounce the government’s jeepney modernization program.