3-day transport strike vs. PUVMP begins

Manibela's 3-day transport strike against the government's public utility vehicle modernization program (PUVMP) kicked off Wednesday as jeepney drivers and operators gathered in Welcome, Rotonda in Manila. 

The transport group's head Mar Valbuena announced the transport strike last week after President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. thumbed down the Senate resolution calling for PUVMP's suspension. 

"Gusto natin iparating sa Pangulo, na ang pagkilos na ito ay pakinggan naman niya yung suspension order na galing sa Senado. Kung Senado po nakakaintindi neto, sana maintindihan mo rin po kami," said Valbuena in interview on Unang Balita this morning.

(We want to convey to the President, that this action is for him to listen to the suspension order from the Senate. If the Senate understands this, I hope you will also understand us.)

#BantayBiyahe: Daloy ng trapiko sa Quezon Avenue sa Quezon City, apektado na ng kilos-protesta ng grupong MANIBELA. | via @xtian_mano pic.twitter.com/Oa0A7ownUJ

— DZBB Super Radyo (@dzbb) August 13, 2024

Around 7 a.m., traffic along Quezon Avenue slowed down as protesters prepared to march to Mendiola, according to Super Radyo dzBB’s Christian Maño.

Five buses from the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) are on standby in case passengers will be stranded due to the strike. MMDA previously said that the expanded number coding scheme will not be suspended during the three-day transport strike.

"Magkakaroon ng inventory ng mga assets na puwedeng i-deploy, 'di lang sa 'min kundi sa iba't-ibang agencies at sa DOTr (Department of Transportation). Nakahanda naman ang pamahaalan narumesponde, as usual," Artes said on Tuesday.

Some Quezon City Police District (QCPD) personnel were deployed to secure the conduct of the protest.

Proposed Senate Resolution 1096, signed by 22 of the 23 senators, urged the government to temporarily suspend the implementation of the transport modernization program.

The lawmakers cited concerns on the high number of unconsolidated PUV units, phaseout of the iconic jeepney design "in favor of so-called modern jeepneys," low percentage of approved routes, among others.

Started in 2017, the PUVMP aims to replace jeepneys with vehicles that have at least a Euro 4-compliant engine to lessen pollution. It also aims to replace units that are no longer considered roadworthy. --VAL, GMA Integrated News