Manibela holds transport strike vs. PUV modernization

Members of the transport group Samahang Manibela Mananakay at Nagkaisang Terminal ng Transportasyon or Manibela held a strike on Monday to again express their opposition to the government's Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program (PUVMP).

At Nagtahan in Manila, Manibela members began their protest action at 8 a.m., according to a report by Manny Vargas on Super Radyo dzBB.

Drivers belonging to the Paco-Rotonda-Nagtahan Jeepney Operators Drivers Association which is a part of Manibela gathered at their terminal and parked their traditional jeepneys.

Some passengers were seen trying to get rides via other PUVs not joining the strike.

Meanwhile, on Caruncho Avenue in Pasig City, drivers belonging to Manibela likewise started their protest action at 8 a.m., according to a report by Mark Makalalad on Super Radyo dzBB.

The drivers who joined the strike are plying the Pasig-Bagong Bayan, Pasig-Pateros, and Pasig-Palengke Quiapo routes.

They also brought their families along to show how the PUVMP is affecting their livelihood.

FLASH REPORT: Tigil-pasada ng mga driver na miyembro ng grupong MANIBELA, umarangkada na sa bahagi ng Caruncho Ave., Pasig City. | via @MMakalalad pic.twitter.com/VPlJzjsBvl

— DZBB Super Radyo (@dzbb) May 6, 2024

The protesters said they expect more Manibela drivers to join them in the transport strike within the day.

Meanwhile, many passengers were seen in the area trying to get rides, but Pasig Traffic said that is normal since today is Monday, the start of the workweek.

The drivers participating in the strike were not stopping other drivers from plying their routes. However, they were urging them to join them, saying, "Makiisa ka naman" (Be one with us).

Manibela members said they will continue their protest even as their units are now considered colorum, until the government hears their plea to stop the PUVMP.

The PUVMP aims to replace traditional jeepneys with vehicles that have at least a Euro 4-compliant engine to lessen pollution and replace units that were not deemed roadworthy under the standards of the Land Transportation Office.

Drivers and operators were given until April 30 to consolidate their franchises into cooperatives or corporations. The PUV consolidation is the initial stage of the program. This aims to pass the burden of acquiring modernized units from operators to the transport entity.

Transport groups however have said in previous protest marches that their members have lost their jeepney units after their vehicle registrations were transferred to transport cooperatives.

Others were wary of undergoing consolidation due to the big amount of money they need to raise in order to get modern jeepneys that are Euro-4 compliant.

Unconsolidated jeepneys are now deemed colorum after the PUV consolidation deadline has lapsed.

“Yes, considered colorum ang hindi nakapag-consolidate. Hindi sila illegal unless pumasada sila,” Department of Transportation spokesperson Jonathan Gesmundo told GMA News Online in a message last May 1.

(Yes, those who did not consolidate are considered colorum. They are not illegal unless they operate.) —KG, GMA Integrated News