By: Sophia Pacheco
Photo courtesy: PISTON / Facebook Page
The transport group Pagkakaisa ng mga Samahan ng Tsuper at Operator Nationwide (PISTON) will stage a nationwide transport strike on Thursday, Sept. 18, to protest alleged corruption among government officials and contractors linked to transport and infrastructure projects.
In a statement, PISTON said that jeepney drivers are paying nearly ?12,000 per month in value-added tax (VAT) and excise taxes on fuel.
“Halos P13,000 kada buwan ang binabayad ng mga tsuper na buwis sa langis, P4,000 naman ang sa mga riders. Pero pinaka-malas ang mga naka-modern kasi P23,400 kada buwan ang nananakaw sa kanila gamit ang VAT at Excise Tax. Lubog ka na nga sa utang dahil sa modernization, ninanakaw pa ang binabayad mong tax!” PISTON said in their Facebook post.
They also claimed that funds meant for jeepney rehabilitation and improvements in public transport are instead being diverted to purchase luxury vehicles by politicians and contractors.
"Perang dapat ay napupunta sa pagpopondo ng rehabilitasyon ng mga jeep at pagsasaayos ng public transport, pinambibili na pala nila luxury cars." they said.
PISTON is inviting public transport workers from various modes, commuters, and allied sectors to join coordinated actions on Thursday, Sept. 18.
“Hindi na sapat ang puro hearing at imbestigasyon. Dapat may managot! Dapat may makulong. Kaya sa Sept. 18, ipakita natin ang galit ng sektor ng transportasyon! Buong bansa, mag-tigil-pasada laban sa korapsyon!” they added.
In addition, the group said it will also participate in a major protest at Luneta on Sunday, Sept. 21.