Wednesday, May 14, 2008 Transport strike a 'blessing' for pedicab drivers
IF JEEPNEY and taxi drivers were whiling away the day with no income due to the two-day transport strike, pedicab drivers in Bacolod are rejoicing and calling the standstill a "blessing."
Anecito Miranda, a pedicab driver along B.S. Aquino Drive in Bacolod, said: "It is good if there is transport strike since you will earn P200 even early morning. Therefore, the P30 rental is solved and you get P170 extra excluding the afternoon and evening trip."
Miranda said although they're sympathizing with the plight of the jeepney drivers they still need to do their daily chores of driving pedicabs to earn for their family.
"Transport strike is really a blessing to us (pedicab drivers)," he stressed.
But he admitted that he is joining the call for the government to implement measures to stop oil price increases because he too have kids who commute everyday, adding that if fare increases then it would be an additional problem to him.
Miguel Baldos, 19, also a pedicab driver along San Juan street, Bacolod, said: "I like that there's always a strike because we have good income. I can now buy a new t-shirt, short, and even pants because I've earned about P500 at 5 p.m. Tuesday."
For his part, Bacolod City Police Office (BCPO) Director Ronilo Quebrar said they could not stop the pedicab drivers from taking advantage of the transport strike as long as they don't loiter on the main streets to avoid accidents. (Erwin Ambo Delilan)
