Home 
A JEEPNEY drivers' group yesterday threatened to hold a two-day transport strike if the price of diesel reaches P60 per liter.
The threat of the Nagkahiusang Drayber sa Sugbu (Nadsu) came after the oil companies raised diesel prices by P3 per liter on Saturday or from P56.76 to P59.76 per liter.
"How can a jeepney driver survive with P59.76 per liter price of diesel?" The jeepney drivers asked of the recent diesel hike.
Jeepney drivers, who were driving diesel-run jeepneys, were shocked yesterday when they went to the gasoline stations yesterday and saw diesel price nearing the P60 per liter level.
With the increase, jeepney drivers and operators now wanted to pressure the government to suspend the implementation of the value-added-tax on petroleum products and the repeal of the oil deregulation law.
Nadsu secretary-general Ruben Rama said the government must do something to help the transport sector, which is greatly affected with the escalating fuel prices.
He said the gains of the granting of the P8 minimum fare in Cebu was eaten up by the recent fuel increases and the raise of between P50 to P100 of the rentals by the jeepney operators.
Rama who is driving a jeepney in B. Rodriguez route, confirmed that his operator raised his rental from P500 to P550.
Rama said he knew some drivers whose operators also raised their rental from P600 to P700.
RAma cited the high cost of fare matrix and rising maintenance cost of the jeepney units as among the reasons for the rental increases.
"So unsa naman ang madala sa mga drivers sa ila (how much will the drivers bring home)?' Rama asked.
Rama said ordinary members of Nadsu are the ones suggesting to hold a two-day transport strike to let the government feel the impact if ever jeepneys will no longer be seen in the streets.
Rama however said that the strike is still on the planning stages and there's no specific date set to hold it.
Rama said Nadsu will not file another petition for fare increase but their demand for a uniformity of fare nationwide still exists.
But Ryan Benjamin Yu, vice-chairman of Cebu Integrated Transport Services Cooperative Inc, (Citrasco) said his group will not seek for fare increase despite the new fuel price increase.
He said another fare increase would be too much for the commuters.
The group is seeking a long term solution and is urging the government to fulfill its promise to give subsidies to the drivers and operators.
Yu cited the government's promise to fund LPG conversion of their units and livelihood fund for jeepney drivers wives nationwide.
Yu said they can wait but they will also impose a limit as to when the government can fulfill its promises.
The limit set is when the price of diesel will reach P63 per liter.
Yu said when it reaches that limit then we will be forced to file a petition for a fare increase.
Yu said the P10 minimum fare could alleviate the situation of the drivers.
