PISTON to stage transport strike on Nov. 16 amid ASEAN Summit, Trump’s visit

MANILA — Transport group PISTON will go on a one-day strike on November 16, during the 49th ASEAN Summit in the Philippines to be attended by US President Donald Trump.

PISTON National President Mody Floranda said on Tuesday the strike aims to express their frustration over the continued increases in fuel prices.

The group is also calling for the repeal of the Oil Deregulation Law.

Floranda noted that the US government was one of those who pushed for the passage of the Oil Deregulation Law, which he claimed left the Philippine government without much power to tame rising gas prices.

“Sa ilalim ng batas ng Oil Deregulation Law ay mga oil company na lamang yung nagtatakda ng paggalaw ng presyo dito sa atin,” he also said.

Floranda also criticized the appeal of ASEAN National Organizing Council Deputy Director General for Operations Potenciano Campa for protest actions to be held after the summit out of respect for visiting delegates.

“Dapat ang irespeto tayo. Tayong mamamayang Pilipino. Ang pagrespeto ay binibigay na natin sa karespe-respeto pero si Trump ay hindi karespe-respeto,” he said.

Meanwhile, 64-year-old jeepney driver Cerilo Latoreno, who operates along the Baclaran-Divisoria route, said they have been unable to operate properly for several days after being banned from their parking area in Pasay City in preparation for the ASEAN Summit.

“Ba’t ganyan kami ang tinuturing sa amin? Public service din po kami. Naglilingkod po kami sa sambayanang Pilipino. Katulad din kami ng mga pulis. Mga local government kami, lingkod bayan din,” Latoreno said.

Instead of keeping their situation out of public view, Latoreno said authorities should allow the public to discuss the actual condition of the country’s transport sector.

Aside from the November 16 transport strike, PISTON is also set to stage a series of mass protests in Metro Manila and various provinces coinciding with the ASEAN Summit.