Transport groups hold vigil in Quezon City after strike

Transport groups, Pagkakaisa ng mga Samahan ng Tsuper at Opereytor Nationwide (PISTON) and Samahang Manibela Mananakay at Nagkaisang Terminal ng Transportasyon or MANIBELA, held a vigil at Mabuhay Rotonda in Quezon City following the first day of their planned two-day transport strike, EJ Gomez reported on "Saksi."

Manibela President Mar Valbuena said there were about 8,000 jeepney drivers and operators who attended the vigil that started around 5 p.m. to protest the consolidation under the PUV Modernization Program.

"Kung hindi ito successful, hindi siguro kami lalatagan ng 6,000 ng kapulisan ng NCRPO. Nakita naman natin yung harassment paglabas pa lang namin ng UP. Kung successful siya kung bakit nandidito sa aming likuran natin ang kapulisan, ibig sabihin ang pamahalaan ay nag-iisip na rin na ito palang gagawin namin, ito kanilang ginawa din para sa amin malaking epekto sa transport sector," said Valbuena.

The two-day transportation strike on Monday, April 15, was held to oppose the April 30 deadline for the consolidation of jeepney drivers and operators under the public utility vehicle modernization program (PUVMP).

The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) on Monday said it did not monitor any disruption in public transportation amid the ongoing nationwide strike.

Some of the protesters and police members had a standoff in Quezon City as authorities closed the northbound and southbound lanes of East Avenue to block the rallying jeepney drivers in front of the LTFRB main office.

The transport groups also staged a rally in parts of Cebu. — BAP, GMA Integrated News