MANILA, Philippines – Day 2 of the nationwide transport strike on Tuesday, October 17, was hardly felt as the Land Transportation and Franchise Regulation Board (LTFRB) said there was “zero percent paralyzation” experienced in most of the country. 

The LTFRB said most regions in the Philippines were not crippled by the transport strike organized by the Pinagkaisang Samahan ng mga Tsuper at Operator Nationwide (Piston). (READ: EXPLAINER: What’s the reason for the 2-day transport strike?)

Based on the update sent by the LTFRB, only parts of Central Luzon and Calabarzon were affected by the strike. These include:

Central Luzon (as of 12:32 pm):

• Angeles and San Fernando, Pampanga: 20-25% 

Calabarzon (as of 1:04 pm)

• San Pedro and Calamba, Laguna: 20%
• Antipolo, Rizal: 5%

By 4:32 pm, LTFRB said effects of the strike were no longer felt in Calabarzon.

On Tuesday, LTFRB Board Member Aileen Lizada said they would revoke the franchises of jeepney drivers who participated in the two-day strike and the rallies initiated by Piston, citing Memorandum Circular (MC) 2011-004 that prohibited drivers from joining strikes as means of protest.

Transport group Piston staged the two-day nationwide strike in protest of the public utility vehicle (PUV) modernization program that mandates the replacement of jeepneys aged 15 years or older. (READ: Junk current version of PUV modernization program – Piston)

Asked for a statement, Piston leader George San Mateo said their protest forced the government to cancel classes in all levels in public and private schools and government work for two straight days. (READ: Malacañang defends 2-day gov’t work, class suspension)

“‘Yung zero percent (paralyzation) na sinasabi ni Lizada ay sinupalpal po ng two consecutive days no classes and government (work) because of the strike,” San Mateo said in a text message to Rappler. (READ: Piston threatens Duterte: Talk to us, or we’ll give you monthly strikes) 

(The zero percent paralyzation that Lizada cited was cancelled out because classes and work were canceled for two consecutive days because of the strike.)

“What’s more important, the strike forced Congress to call for a special hearing on October 19 regarding the sentiments of the strikers,” he added.

According to the leftist group, parts of Luzon saw “100%” participation in the nationwide transport strike on Monday.

In Cebu, however, the protest failed to cripple the province’s transport system on Monday. By Tuesday, Cebu and Davao no longer joined the strike.– Rappler.com