By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

The Bacolod City Police Office (BCPO) yesterday said they would be coordinating with local transport groups after they announced a two-day nationwide transport strike, set to begin on Monday.

BCPO director, Police Senior Superintendent Francisco Ebreo, said he would like to talk to transport operators over the weekend in order to ensure they were really participating in the strike.

Ebreo said, should the groups participate in the protest, he would immediately instruct law enforcement to mobilize their vehicles to help transport commuters in the city.

He also stated the city government would likely use their own vehicles during the strike.

“I’m sure other government agencies would participate in helping commuters get to their intended destinations,” Ebreo added.

The United Negros Drivers and Operators Center (UNDOC), meanwhile, announced they would be participating in the nationwide demonstration.

The transport strike is part of the protest against the planned phase-out of old public utility vehicles by January 2018.

Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade said he has “had enough of the transport groups’ complaints over the PUV modernization program” and warned those participating in the strike would have their licenses and franchises revoked./DGB, WDJ