I first knew of this transport strike yesterday as I was drawn to tweets that had "classes suspended" in them. I followed the tweets and found out "Transport groups have called for a nationwide strike after the decision on their fare increase application was deferred" Their appeal for a fare hike was due to high oil prices.
I woke up today expecting empty roads and sidewalks full of commuters. Surprisingly, it was just like an ordinary day, jeeps crowd the highway and I didn't have a hard time catching one. The drivers were talking lightly with each other asking if they'll join the rally. What's supposed to be a transport strike was now labeled as a protest caravan.
What good does the transport strike do? Make themselves heard by making the commuting public hostage? And what then after the government hears them? Can our government do anything about high oil prices without tapping into public funds? Even if they can, it'll be short-lived since no single country can control the oil prices, much less the Philippines. I just feel that everybody loses when the transport groups decide to paralyze the the metro's transport system. It's not as if the commuting public can also hold a strike by not riding. We are not our own bosses and we can't control the losses for not being able to report for work on time or not at all. There must be a better way at solving this dilemma.
Got off work around 6:30PM and the roads are still normal. Thank goodness. I wouldn't want to walk again from Ayala Ave. to the Gil Puyat LRT station. Takes 30 minutes of walking by the way.
My appeal to the transport groups is this. Talk to the people in charge. If your proposals are rejected, then re-group and send a better proposal. Proposals are rejected for a reason, just come up with a better one. There's no need for a transport strike that paralyzes the transport system. You're barking at the wrong three. If there's a way I could go to oil-rich countries and beg for cheaper prices I would. But since that won't be happening anytime soon, maybe you should just be thankful that you have the Pantawid Pasada Program and a discounted lane at gas stations. The private sector doesn't have that.
I woke up today expecting empty roads and sidewalks full of commuters. Surprisingly, it was just like an ordinary day, jeeps crowd the highway and I didn't have a hard time catching one. The drivers were talking lightly with each other asking if they'll join the rally. What's supposed to be a transport strike was now labeled as a protest caravan.
What good does the transport strike do? Make themselves heard by making the commuting public hostage? And what then after the government hears them? Can our government do anything about high oil prices without tapping into public funds? Even if they can, it'll be short-lived since no single country can control the oil prices, much less the Philippines. I just feel that everybody loses when the transport groups decide to paralyze the the metro's transport system. It's not as if the commuting public can also hold a strike by not riding. We are not our own bosses and we can't control the losses for not being able to report for work on time or not at all. There must be a better way at solving this dilemma.
Got off work around 6:30PM and the roads are still normal. Thank goodness. I wouldn't want to walk again from Ayala Ave. to the Gil Puyat LRT station. Takes 30 minutes of walking by the way.
My appeal to the transport groups is this. Talk to the people in charge. If your proposals are rejected, then re-group and send a better proposal. Proposals are rejected for a reason, just come up with a better one. There's no need for a transport strike that paralyzes the transport system. You're barking at the wrong three. If there's a way I could go to oil-rich countries and beg for cheaper prices I would. But since that won't be happening anytime soon, maybe you should just be thankful that you have the Pantawid Pasada Program and a discounted lane at gas stations. The private sector doesn't have that.
