Rights group backs jeepney strike

THE International Coalition for Human Rights in the Philippines (ICHRP) has expressed support for Filipino jeepney drivers taking part in transport strikes following increases in fuel costs.

“No worker should be asked to survive on less than $1 per hour, but that is what is happening to these public utility vehicles in the Philippines,” ICHRP Chairperson Peter Murphy said in a statement on Sunday.

Citing estimates by Transport leader Mody T. Floranda, the ICHRP said public utility vehicle (PUV) driver’s earnings may be cut to P300 per day should diesel prices hit P120 per liter.

Mr. Floranda on Monday announced another nationwide transport strike from March 26 to 27 as the No To Oil Price Hike Coalition pushes back against oil price hikes and calls for the removal of excise tax and rollback of crude cost to P55.

“If the price of crude increases every week, expect that the No To Oil Price Hike Coalition will also take actions weekly,” the coalition said in a statement.

Senator Ana Theresia Hontiveros-Baraquel on Monday also backed protesters, pushing for a P52.8-billion fuel subsidy package for PUV, delivery, and transport network vehicle drivers, under Senate Bill No. 1986. — Kaela Patricia B. Gabriel