The transport caravan, instead of the strike by unconsolidated groups, failed to cripple transportation in Iloilo and Panay on Monday, April 15, according to the assessment of the Police Regional Police Office (PRO-6).
“They could not muster a big number, and what is important is they could not cripple the normal flow of public conveyance,” PRO-6 regional director Brigadier Geneneral Jack Wanky said in an interview.
“Only minimal members (have joined), and they have been noted in the past rallies, especially this Bayan group.”
The Western Visayas top cop said they have prepared vehicles in case there were stranded passengers.
“We have patrol cars and vehicles coming from LGUs (local government units),” he added.
He said patrol cars can be utilized as long as there are no emergencies.
At the regional headquarters, there are two-man trucks and 6×6 trucks.
Raymundo “Boyet” Parcon, president of the Western Visayas Transport Cooperative (WVTC), in a separate interview, said there was an influx of passengers in the morning due to students and workers returning to the city.
“We did not feel there was a strike since other consolidated jeepneys even ply their routes,” he said.
He also assured commuters that all transport cooperatives and even those unconsolidated are plying their routes.
“It has no effect,” he said, adding that they met with the alliance and agreed to continue plying their routes.Perla Lena/PNA
