THE SOUTHEASTERN Mindanao Diversified Drivers & Operators Cooperative (Semddoc) nixed calls to participate in the three-day nationwide strike called by the group Manibela starting on Monday, Oct. 16.
In an interview on Thursday, Manuel Duran, Semmdoc president, said Manibela has no members in Visayas and Mindanao so there is no reason for a transport strike especially in Davao City and in Davao Region.
Manibela will continue the transport strike on Monday after the suspension of Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) chairman Teofilo Guadiz III due to the issue of corruption.
“Lahi na ilang panawagan kay ang kung kami manawagan, nga sabot mi kay organisasyon man gyud mi nga tinuod. Kana sila (Manibela), organisasyon (sila) pero usa ra mana ka chapter sa Manila. Kung mag-strike, mag-strike sila. Walay problema. Makita man na kung daghan og mouban nila (Their call is different because when we call, we discuss because we are a real organization. They (Manibela), is an organization but [they have] only one chapter in Manila. When they strike, they strike. It will be seen if many people join them,” said Duran.
Moreover, Duran said that they are happy with the big rollback in the price of petroleum products on Oct. 10 and hope it continues.
He added that there may be a reason to strike in Semddoc if the oil price hikes continue but that step must be agreed upon by all members of the organization.
