Transport group to stage nationwide strike on Sept. 19

A militant transport group is planning stage a nationwide strike on Monday, September 19, to call for a fuel price rollback. The Pinagkaisang Samahan ng Tsuper at Opereytor Nationwide (PISTON) said it is dismayed over the results of its dialogue with President Benigno Simeon Aquino III in Malacañang on Wednesday. According to a report of radio dzBB's Rodil Vega, PISTON secretary general George San Mateo said they received no concrete answers to their concerns when they held a dialogue with Aquino. Aquino and other government officials met with 30 transport group leaders in Malacañang on Wednesday. After the meeting, Aquino ordered a review of the Oil Deregulation Law to allow the entry of more industry players. Unlike PISTON, transport groups like the Federation of Jeepney Operators and Drivers Association of the Philippines, Pasang Masda and Alliance of Concerned Transport Organizations backed out of their plan to take part in the strike. Monitoring fuel prices On Wednesday, Energy Undersecretary Jay Layug, who was present during the President's meeting with transport groups, said the Department of Energy (DOE) may recommend a provision that would make it easier to penalize oil firms that will overprice their products. However, Layug said the DOE has not monitored any overpricing on the part of oil companies. Meanwhile, he said the DOE will continue implementing the Pantawid Pasada program where a subsidy is given to jeepney and tricycle drivers to help them cope with oil price increases. Layug noted that only P70 million of the P300 million fund for the program have so far been used. He said many jeepney drivers have failed to claim their Pantawid Pasada cards that are used to avail of the subsidy. Libreng Sakay After PISTON announced its plan to hold a nationwide strike, the Philippine National Police (PNP) said it will provide free transportation — "Libreng Sakay" — for commuters who may be affected by the strike. The PNP Director for Operations, Leocadio Santiago Jr. instructed regional directors to provide resources to be used to help commuters. - with a report from Amita Legaspi, VVP, GMA News