The Baguio-Benguet Public Utility Jeepney Federation will not join the nationwide transport strike being planned by the Pagkakaisa ng mga Samahan ng Tsuper at Opereytor Nationwide (Piston) on Nov. 20 to 23.
Federation president Wilson Bumay-et, Jr. in a statement dated Nov. 16, said their group “will never resort to such a protest that will negatively impact the riding public.”
“Time and again, the federation wishes to let the government, the public, and all concerned know that public service is our priority,” Bumay-et said.
Mayor Benjamin Magalong once again thanked the group for their selflessness and commitment to public service.
“We are just grateful to them as always,” he said.
The federation, which represents almost 95 percent of jeepney associations within Baguio City and Benguet, has not been known to join transport protests in recent years.
In March, when another mass action was planned nationwide, Bumay-et said they did not support the strike as it “demeans the principle of public service which does not only mean providing public transportation on our part but also providing help to those in need.”
“As providers of essential services at a rate where the public can afford, the continuity of our service is of much more importance than the recognition or compensation we may receive,” he said.
The group did not budge when another protest was mounted by the transport group Malayang Alyansa ng Bus Employees at Laborers last Oct. 16. – Aileen P. Refuerzo
