Unified protest by Metro Manila drivers to be held next week

Metro Manila traffic. Photo by Art Phaneuf of Lost Arts, sourced from ShutterStock.com.

Manila, Philippines — Pasay City commuters will be harangued once again as three transport groups plan to hold a unified protest set next week after yesterday’s noise barrage in Baclaran.

Other provinces will also be affected as the Pinagkaisang Samahan ng mga Drayber at Operators Nationwide (PISTON), Divisoria Baclaran Jeepney Operators and Drivers Association (DIBAJODA), and Pier Pasay Operators and Drivers Assocuiation (PIPAODA) will join forces to protest against Department Order 2008-39 launched by the Department of Transportation and Communications.

The groups also plan to express their perpetual concerns about fuel rates. According to PISTON National President George San Mateo, nine diesel price hikes have already happened since the end of May 2013.

Many drivers and operators, and even commuters, are dissatisfied with the government’s lack of assistance and action when it comes to fuel prices in the Philippines. Transport strikes has been the transport groups main avenue for voicing their concerns, often ranging from a noise barrage to an all-out shut down, affecting thousands of Filipino commuters.

In 2011, Gloria Macapag-Arroyo’s camp criticized the Aquino administration for failing to keep the fuel costs in the country low or even at an acceptable rate.

“That order was nullified by a Baguio Court decision in May 2012 and they (DOTC) filed a motion for reconsideration. But the penalties are being implemented even though the court hasn’t granted their motion,” said San Mateo.