Transport groups to launch protest vs oil price hike

Militant transport groups have started “recruiting" drivers and operators to take part in a nationwide transport holiday to protest the government’s alleged inaction on oil price hikes. George San Mateo, secretary general of the Pinagkaisang Samahan ng Tsuper at Operator Nationwide (Piston), said his groups is talking to public transport associations to join the mass action. “In-announce ng oil companies at ni Pangulong Arroyo, tataas pa by P4 at by next year tuloy-tuloy pa. Ang pinakamasakit sabi ng gobyerno wala silang magagawa. Ginagawa tayong helpless di ba (Oil companies and even President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo already announced that fuel prices will go up by P4 a liter before yearend, and there may be more hikes to come in 2008. Then government says it cannot do anything. They are making us feel helpless, aren’t they)?" San Mateo said in an interview on dzXL radio. He said the transport holiday, where drivers will stay off their routes for at least one day, aims to send the message to the government to find ways in addressing problems caused by the increase in fuel prices. San Mateo said Piston had been pushing for state control of oil prices instead of deregulation, so oil firms cannot impose price hikes at will. The government had insisted it cannot do much about the situation because the oil industry is deregulated. Also, San Mateo said the government could have at least required all oil price hikes to go through a public hearing first. “Kinakausap naming association ng bus, jeep at taxi. Gusto rin namin lumahok pinakamaraming member ng mamamayan. Gusto mo malawak ang mag-participate diyan (We are now talking to associations of bus, jeep and taxi drivers and operators. We want the widest participation possible)," he said. “Ang mga driver bwisit na (Drivers are pissed off)," he added. - GMANews.TV