The Cebu chapter of the Pagkakaisa ng mga Samahan ng mga Tsuper at Operator Nationwide (PISTON) will join the nationwide transport strike on Sept. 29 and 30, with its members planning to set up strike centers in various parts of Cebu.
PISTON Cebu announced its participation in a Sept. 25 statement, citing continued increases in fuel prices and basic commodities as reasons for the planned action.
The group said diesel prices have reached around P105 per liter and argued that the increases are placing additional pressure on drivers and commuters. PISTON national president Mody Floranda earlier announced the two-day nationwide strike, which the group said would coincide with another expected fuel price increase on Sept. 29.
PISTON Cebu listed six demands, including a P10 fare increase, a P1,200 national living wage, the removal of VAT and excise taxes on fuel and other commodities, and a rollback of fuel prices to P55 per liter.
The group also called for the repeal of the Oil Deregulation Law, the nationalization of the oil industry and an end to what it described as a war being pushed by the United States. PISTON attributed recent fuel increases to geopolitical tensions and alleged US aggression against Iran, positions that were not independently established in the Cebu statement.
The strike follows a recent round of fuel price increases in which diesel rose by P8.82 per liter, while gasoline and kerosene increased by P4.88 and P6.47, respectively.
The action will also come a day after higher public utility vehicle fares took effect on Sept. 28. The approved adjustment raised the minimum fare for traditional jeepneys by P1 and modern jeepneys by P2. PISTON Cebu said the fare adjustment does not address its broader demands, including its call for a P10 increase.
PISTON Cebu did not specify the locations of its planned strike centers or how many Cebu-based drivers and operators are expected to participate.
The group’s planned action is part of PISTON’s nationwide strike, with its national leadership estimating that tens of thousands of drivers and operators could participate.
Photo courtesy of PISTON Cebu
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