By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

Bacolod City Mayor Evelio Leonardia hinted he may suspend classes from June 5 to 6, during the planned transport strike by jeepney operators.
In a press conference yesterday, Leonardia said he spoke with Bacolod Schools Division Superintendent Cynthia Demavivas regarding the suspension of classes and requested an assessment from the Department of Education (DepEd) in Bacolod.
He noted, it is still too early to make a conclusion and he will further consult with the Land Transportation Office (LTO), the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), and the Bacolod City Police Office (BCPO).
Meanwhile, DepEd-Negros Island Region (NIR) director Gilbert Sadsad said classes will proceed on June 5 despite the transport strike. However, the local director stated he would leave the decision to local chief executives to suspend classes if necessary.
United Negros Drivers and Operators Center (UNDOC) Secretary-General Diego Malacad said they will be conducting a transport strike from June 5 to 6 in protest of plans to phase-out all public utility vehicles (PUVs) older than 15 years old, as part of the modernization plans of the government./WDJ