Transport groups staged another Strike across the country yesterday. Piston, a transport group, claims that they paralyzed 70% of the public transport in Metro Manila. However, reports said that the opposite is true. The strike was hardly felt and heavy traffic is experienced in areas where the protesters held rallies.
I for one is a skeptic for these groups staging of strikes since it does not do any good to everyone. Employees find it difficult to ride to work. Companies lose valuable hours due to employees coming in late. They, the Transportation Sector, earn nothing during the strike. So it is counterproductive to all parties.
The shocking fact is that these groups are sacrificing the riding public for trivial reasons. One of the two reasons they cited for not plying their routes is the continued rise of oil prices. They could strike all year round but they won't stop any oil price increase. That problem is on the conscience of oil-producing countries. As in the case before, oil-producing countries limit the number of barrel they produce to increase the oil price. That cannot be helped. As long as we rely on fossil fuels we are at the mercy of oil producing countries.
Rumors has it that oil companies operating in the Philippines are conniving with each other to increase their profit. well, that remains to be seen since there has been lots on congressional and senate inquiries regarding the matter but no solid solutions has been dug.
Another sentiment from the Transportation sector which I find ridiculous is that they are complaining the substantial increase of fines on traffic violations. Does this prove that they, the transportation sector, has very low regard of our laws and are willing to break any traffic law for as long as the fines are kept minimal? The rationale of the law is to bring disciple to everyone. We won't be fined sky-high if we won't violate any statute. As to the transportation sector, they need not worry about fines if they do not intend to break any law.
It only shows that they are not law abiding citizens. I ride at least twice a day and I know that these people representing our transportation sector are anything but law-abiding. As one of the riding public, I urge them not to jeopardize us in their devious schemes.
