Manibela to suspend transportation strike due to Egay

Transport group Manibela will temporarily suspend its transportation strike due to the inclement weather caused by Typhoon Egay.

On Facebook, Manibela President Mar Valbuena on Monday evening said jeepney drivers will ply their routes following the appeal of some commuter groups who will bear the brunt of the transportation strike amid the possible heavy rainfall.

“Officially, in-announce po natin na temporarily suspended ang tigil-pasada. Wala po munang tigil-pasada bukas,” said Valbuena on a Facebook video.

(We’re officially announcing that the transportation strike will be suspended tomorrow.)

“Magkakaroon po ng usapan [kasama ang gobyerno]. Wala po muna akong ide-detalye,” he said.

(We will have a meeting with the government officials but we will not disclose details.)

Members of Manibela are rallying against the PUV modernization program, which aims to replace traditional jeepneys with vehicles powered by more environment-friendly fuels.

The transportation strike was initially scheduled to run from July 24 to 26, coinciding with the second State of the Nation Address (SONA) of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

On Monday, Manibela started the three-day strike by staging protests at the University of the Philippines in Diliman, Quezon City and conducting a caravan at Commonwealth Avenue which caused traffic along the thoroughfare.

Valbuena warned they may hold a “secret” transportation strike should the government continue to not take any action on their appeal.

DoTr snubbed in SONA?

In a separate Facebook post, Valbuena chided the Department of Transportation (DoTr) after Marcos Jr. did not mention the agency’s achievements in the past year in his SONA speech.

“Bakit po kaya walang nabanggit na achievement ninyo ang ating Mahal na Pangulo Ferdinand Marcos Jr. sa kanyang SONA? Nagmukha po kasi kayong inutil,” said Valbuena.

(Why did the President not mention any of your achievements in his SONA?)

“Kumusta po yung aming mga hinaing nasaan na po ang usapin ng PUVMP/OFG? Ako na po ba ang magbanggit ng mga nagawa ninyo para naman yung mga effort nyo ay ma recognize? Kami naman po ay nagtatanong lamang na mga tax payers at bilang mamamayang Pilipino para sa aming kalinawan,” he added.

(How was our request in relation to the PUVMP/OFG [Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program/Omnibus Franchising Guidelines]? Should we enumerate your achievements for your efforts to be recognized? We’re just asking as taxpayers.)

According to a report on "State of the Nation," the organization is rallying against the jeepney phaseout and the alleged awarding of consolidated routes to favored politicians and corporations.

The strike will also be conducted in other parts of the country including Pampanga, Bulacan, Iloilo, and Bacolod City.

Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista said Manibela’s protest was “unsuccessful” and he will leave it up to the group to decide whether to continue the three-day strike.

“Merong konti. Palagay namin ay hindi successful yung kanilang tigil pasada na ‘yan. Ang LTFRB naman ini-evaluate naman lahat ng application for franchises. ‘Yung sinasabi nila na phaseout, hindi naman,” said Bautista.

(There were some who joined the strike but for us, it was unsuccessful. The LTFRB is evaluating the application for franchises. Their allegation of phaseout is not true.)

Jeepney drivers and operators are required to join or form cooperatives under the PUVMP, which aims to replace traditional jeepneys with vehicles powered by more environment-friendly fuels. — Sundy Locus/BAP, GMA Integrated News