• CHERYL G. CRUZ
The Bacolod City government will offer free rides anew today, April 15, while several schools shift to online classes due to the scheduled transport strike.
The city said it will deploy 12 vehicles, including those from the Bacolod Traffic and Transport Management Department, Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office, and the City Bus, to ease the burden on commuters who will be affected by the strike.
The vehicles will be deployed at 6:30 a.m. in identified pickup points, including at Mormon’s Church in Barangay Bata, Banago Barangay Hall, Calong-calong/Palmas Del Mar, Estefania Barangay Hall, Bangga Paglaum Village, and Bangga Cabug.
There will be two trips, and these vehicles will again be deployed at around 5 p.m., also with two trips, to accommodate commuters during the peak hours, the city said.
“We appeal to our fellow citizens, who will participate in the transport strike, to express their concerns peacefully. Everyone has the right to voice their stand and advocate for issues they believe in,” Mayor Greg Gasataya said in a city press release.
The one-day strike in Bacolod is part of the three-day nationwide protest by transport groups in response to the steep rise in fuel prices.
Several schools, meanwhile, announced that cancellation of face-to-face classes today, due to the transport strike. These include the Carlos Hilado Memorial State University for all its campuses, the Colegio San Agustin-Bacolod, La Consolacion College Bacolod, VMA Global College and Training Centers, and the TUP Visayas Talisay Campus.
The John B. Lacson Colleges Foundation-Bacolod, on the other hand, said it will deploy a shuttle service for its students and employees in their commute amid the strike.
“This initiative reflects JBLCF Bacolod’s commitment to ensuring the safety, convenience, and continuous mobility of our academic community during this challenging time.” | CGC
