Cebu drivers join transport strike

CEBU CITY — The Cebu chapter of the Pagkakaisa ng mga Samahan ng mga Tsuper at Operator Nationwide (Piston) will join a nationwide transport strike on 29 September to protest rising fuel and commodity prices.

Piston Cebu said the strike is being held amid what it described as an economic crisis caused by continued increases in fuel and basic commodity prices, with diesel reportedly reaching P105 per liter.

The group also linked the fuel price increases to what it called US “imperialist aggression” against Iran and efforts to control the Strait of Hormuz, a major oil supply route.

Piston Cebu said drivers and consumers continue to bear the burden of high prices and taxes, while large oil companies and the government earn “super profit.” It cited Petron’s P3.8-billion net income in the first half of the year.

The group also criticized the Marcos administration’s economic policies, including the Oil Deregulation Law, value-added tax and excise tax.

Among Piston Cebu’s demands are a P10 increase in transport fares, a P1,200 national living wage, the removal of VAT and excise taxes on fuel and commodities, a rollback of fuel prices to P55 per liter, and an end to alleged oil-company overpricing.

It is also calling for the repeal of the Oil Deregulation Law, nationalization of the oil industry and an end to the war it attributes to the United States.

Piston Cebu said it will establish strategic strike centers during the 29 September activity.