HIGÜEY.- Most of the transport of passengers, freight and tourists came to halt in the East region today when unions of bus owners staged a strike to demand road repairs, the construction of aqueducts, bridges and sewage systems.

The union leaders have only allowed the transport of the more than 14,000 tourists to and from the zone’s airports and hotels.

So far the peaceful protest has caused the closing of businesses, schools, as anti-riot police closely watch the roadways between Higüey and the different communities of the tourism region.

Manolo Ramirez, (Pupilo), of the union Conatra and spokesman of the strikers said the walkout will last until 6 p.m. Thursday, adding that they’ve allowed the transport of tourists “by virtue of prudence and as a demonstration that our position is neither radical nor political, but because of the problems that affect us.”

Dozens of buses are parked in front of the Basilica, whereas others were were placed at the exit to the Bavaro tourist zone.

Among the strikers’ demands are the construction of sewage systems and aqueducts in the communities Nisibón and Verón; the repairs of the roads in Altagracia province and Higüey, and the reconstruction of the bridges on the Higüey-Nisibón road, on the verge of collapse from damages by the storms Noel and Olga

They also demand the repair of the highways Higüey-La Romana, Higüey-Punta Cana, the restart of construction of the Tourist Boulevard; the repair of the roads Casa de Campo-La Romana Airport-Bayahíbe, Miches-El Seibo-Sabana de la Mar, Hato Mayor-San Pedro, and La Romana-San Pedro, among others.