NEWSFLASH

Manila, July 31, 2000 - With or without any approval from the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB), jeepney rides will cost a minimum of P4 next week, up by a peso from today’s prevailing rate.

Medardo Roda, national president of the Pinagkaisang Samahan ng mga Tsuper at Operator Nationwide (Piston), announced that the unilateral fare increase will take effect after their planned two-day transport strike on Aug. 7 and 8.

Jeepney operators and drivers in Metro Manila and other parts of the country decided to raise fares without LTFRB approval as a sign of protest over the series of oil price hikes this July.

"If the jeepney industry is to survive, we have no choice but to increase the minimum fare by P1 which is the very least amount for our survival," he said.

Roda said tricycle and mini-bus operators and drivers in most parts of Metro Manila and other urban centers are expected to take part in the transport strike.

The two-day transport strike will affect Metro Manila, the entire Central Luzon, Southern Tagalog, Baguio City, and Pangasinan in Luzon; Panay Island, Negros Island, Bacolod City, and Cebu in the Visayas, and Davao City and Cagayan de Oro City in Mindanao.

In Metro Manila, police have been placed on alert for the planned transport strike and the expected protest actions against the so-called "Big 3" oil companies -- Pilipinas Shell Petroleum Corp., Caltex Philippines Inc., and Petron Corp.

Metro Manila police commander Chief Superintendent Edgar Aglipay said police will send trucks to ferry stranded passengers, and that policemen will be deployed in oil depots and in front of the offices of oil companies to avoid sabotage and violent demonstrations.

Aglipay said police have adopted emergency measures to prevent the strikers from paralyzing transportation services in Metro Manila to the inconvenience of the public.