Piston, Manibela set 3-day transport strike

Transport groups Pagkakaisa ng mga Samahan ng Tsuper at Opereytor Nationwide (Piston) and Samahang Manibela Mananakay at Nagkaisang Terminal ng Transportasyon (Manibela) have announced plans to hold a nationwide strike this week to protest corruption in the government's use of fuel excise taxes.

- By CHRISTINE BOTON

Piston said jeepney drivers shoulder nearly P13,000 in fuel taxes per month while riders pay around P4,000.

The group said drivers of modernized or e-jeepneys are the hardest hit, paying up to P23,400 monthly in value-added tax and excise taxes.

“Money that should fund the rehabilitation of jeepneys and improve public transport is being stolen and spent on luxury cars,” Piston said ina statement. “You're already in great debt because of the modernization, and your taxes are being stolen!”

Piston set its strike for Sept. 18, to be followed by a protest action in Rizal Park in Manila on Sept. 21, to call for accountability of government officials.