Jeepney Drivers’ Protest Fails to Affect Transport in Metro Cebu

The protest held by the National Confederation of Transportworkers Unity (NCTU) in Metro Cebu on Monday has failed to affect public transportation in the city, traffic officials said.

Heavy traffic was observed in Cebu City’s major thoroughfares despite the drivers’ protest.

NCTU vice chair for Visayas Romeo Armamento said their protest was a show of force against a draft memorandum circular of the Department of Transportation and Communication (DOTC) on the phase out of public utility jeepneys.

Armamento said the draft memorandum circular, which is now being worked out by DOTC Secretary Antonio Emilio Aguinaldo Abaya and Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) Chairman Winston Ginez, was made known when some transport leaders nationwide were called to a dialogue.

Armamento said their march rally Monday from Dona Pepang Cemetery to LTFRB 7 was just an opening salvo for bigger march rallies nationwide within this month and even until the May 2016 elections if Abaya and Ginez will sign the memo.

The Cebu City Government was ready to deploy buses to ferry stranded commuters.

Cebu City Transportation Office (CCTO) Executive Director Rey Gealon said they deployed traffic enforcers to make sure that traffic will still be manageable.

Gealon also said they made sure PUV drivers who did not participate in the protest were not harassed. (PNA) LAP/EB/EDS