Hasty thinking leads to worries

The two-day transport strike led by the Pinagkaisang Samahan ng mga Tsuper at Operator
Nationwide (PISTON) to oppose the planned ‘Public Utility Vehicle’ (PUV) modernization program was a
complete waste of energy and time for the work of government offices and classes in schools
nationwide.

Why was schools nationwide also included in this strike? It should only be schools in the areas
affected by the strike. This shows the government’s lack of insight or is it just a sad reminder of the
blunders that the government commits from time to time.

This transport strike has nothing to do with the student’s education and is just a burden. With
the past months’ simultaneous ‘Monday Holidays’ plus this transport strike, the students’ allotted time
for school has been lost because of this. The students will not learn because of class cancellations like
this.

What about government officials and schools out of the metro and live in rural areas that are
not affected by the strike? Why do we have to be also affected by this strike? Do we also have to
cooperate to this strike commissioned by nagging jeepney drivers?

The government’s officials who had to stop their works for the two day strike were also highly
affected by this event. It postponed works that needs to be done right away. Important documents as
such were not done in time.

The country’s economy was also affected by this two day transport strike. Some business
establishments were forced to shut down early because of the order of the government. The
government must really think if they really need to cancel a working day because a day with no work can
really make a difference. In terms of business, one day without profit gained is a big deal while
simultaneous strikes nationwide do not really affect others.

But what is the jeepney drivers really fighting for? What are they so angry about that made the
government cancel work for two day?

Apparently this modernization program will dispatch all jeepney models into a newer euro-
designed model, but what the jeepney drivers concern is the cost of the jeepneys. The new model cost
almost P1 million each, which the Piston group says is “anti-poor”. But the jeepney drivers must also
consider the factor that we must adapt to changes because old jeepney are old and also causes air
pollution. The newer model on the other hand is an eco-friendly vehicle.

Lastly, whether the transport strike was successful or not, the government must think it through
if they will cancel classes or not because it can really affect almost everyone.