Monday, 12th of May 2008, Transport groups lead by PISTON launched a nationwide transport strike. Ironically, the strike was largely unfelt in Metro Manila considering the transport groups in Manila were the promoters of the said move. In the provinces however, the transport strike was felt. Here in Davao City, I would say the paralization rate was at around 75%. Looking at the news on TV, other provinces also had the same situation.
Obviously, drivers went on a rampage because of the rocketing of fuel price. Two times in a row, oil price increased by a peso. Diesel plays around 42-44 pesos per liter. Ouch! Unleaded Gas is at 47-52 pesos per liter. Ouch! Ouch! And so, transport groups ended up for a transport strike. But what do they get? Or what did every Filipino get from a nationwide transport strike?
A ten pesos roll-back in oil price?!?! How I wish! I’ve witness how the goverment is so futile against oil companies in the Philippines. Sec. Angelo Reyes called a meeting with the major oil companies in the country in order to question the first 1 peso increase. True enough, it was just a question and answer portion. The “oilers” said that its the least they can do in order to make up for their 6 pesos catch-up. Angelo Reyes could only say, “we will continue to MONITOR the price increase.” And so the meeting adjourned with only handshakes.
Drivers who don’t want to participate in transport strikes should never be hated. These drivers are not senseless drivers. They just realize the fact that transport strike is no help at all. It will instead add to their problems because to a lot of drivers, a day of zero earnings only mean hunger for their family. I have high respect though for drivers who participate in transport strikes. I admire their sense of urgency and courage to sacrifice a day of work for a little hope of making a difference.
I’m a driver for over 5 years now. I can really say that the price of gasoline today hurts a lot. Before, 100 pesos worth of gasoline is enough for a day (home, office, sidetrips within the city). Yet, never will I participate in transport strikes.
