• RICHARD T. CABALLERO JR.
Three major transport groups in Bacolod City are set to hold a transport strike today, September 18, from 9 a.m. to 12 noon, and they will gather at the Bacolod City Government Center Replica in the Public Plaza in commemoration of what they claimed was a ‘water cannon incident’ that happened last year.
The three transport groups set to join the rally are the Bacolod Alliance of Commuters, Operators, and Drivers (Bacod), United Negros Drivers and Operators Center-Piston, and Kabacod Negros Transport Organization (KNETCO).
On September 18, 2024, exactly a year ago today, various transport groups and operations rallied in front of the L’Fisher Hotel in Lacson Street, expressing their opposition to the Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program (PUVMP), when authorities used a water cannon to disperse the protest and arrested several leaders and members.
“This action protest is in commemoration of a year since the protesting drivers and operators were bombed by water cannons. This is a way to cry for justice for the commuters and drivers,” UNDOC member Noli Rosales said.
Rosales added that they are expecting at least 300-400 operators and drivers to convene at the rally. These are individuals who did not consolidate their vehicles, and the oppositors of the PUVMP launched in the city.
“This is to make the government feel that they need to give attention to the transport sectors,” Rosales said, seeking the understanding of the commuters who will be affected by the transport strike.*
