- MITCH M. LIPA
Religious and consumers’ groups have thrown their support on the two-day transport strike set March 21 and 22 in Negros Occidental and Bacolod City.
Negros Consumers Watch convenors, Fr. Chris Gonzales of the Diocesan Social Action Center, and Pete Pico of Iglesia Filipina Independiente, with the leaders of the three transport groups in the province, announced their stand Monday in a press conference.
They called on all sectors, including private car owners, to cooperate and support the transport strike, stressing that the series of increases in the prices of fuel affect everybody.
The group said private car owners can show their support and help send the message to the national government by not going out of their homes on March 21 and 22.
Gonzales said the continued inaction of the national government on the present situation shows lack of concern for the people and the marginalized sector.
The NCW also called on private businesses, if possible, to refrain from having any transaction during the transport strike to avoid any inconvenience on the part of their employees.
The group demands for the suspension in the implementation of the 12 percent value-added tax on power, water, and basic commodities, and the abolition of the excise tax on fuel products, and of the Oil Deregulation Law.
The two-day transport strike will end at 3 p.m. on March 22, with an ecumenical prayer rally at the Bacolod City plaza. | MML
