By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

Transport groups in Bacolod City announced the cancellation of their two-day transport strike, which was originally set for today.

United Negros Drivers and Operators Center (UNDOC) Secretary-General Diego Malacad said the strike was cancelled after an agreement was reached between transport group Pinagkaisang Samahan ng mga Tsuper at Operator Nationwide (PISTON) and Senator Grace Poe.

Poe earlier appealed for the transport sector to not push through with the strike and to instead discuss their concerns, the public utility jeepney (PUJ) modernization act and the rising cost of oil, through a Senate hearing.

However, instead of demonstrating, Malacad said they will be conducting a caravan from the old Bacolod Airport to the Northbound Terminal today, in order to voice their opposition to the new law, which is set to become active by January 2018.

Bacolod City Mayor Evelio Leonardia, meanwhile, issued a statement yesterday saying there would be no suspension of classes in Bacolod City and work in all government offices will proceed as usual.

Leonardia also thanked the transport groups for not pushing through with the strike, but emphasized the city government would have been ready for any eventuality./DGB, WDJ