Transport strike stalls traffic in parts of Welcome Rotonda

A portion of Welcome Rotonda in Manila remains closed amid the ongoing transport strike of MANIBELA against the government's public utility vehicle modernization program (PUVMP) on Wednesday.

"As of 11:00 AM at España Welcome Rotonda WB infront of PLDT Road are closed to traffic due to Rallyist involving Manibela. more or less 600 pax and 30 PUJ... PNP and MMDA enforcers on site," said MMDA in its traffic bulletin.

The 3-day transport strike was announced last week after President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. thumbed down the Senate resolution calling for PUVMP's suspension.

[AS OF 12:30PM] Bahagi ng Quezon Avenue at Mabuhay Rotonda sa Quezon City, sarado pa rin sa mga motorista at okupado ng mga jeep ng MANIBELA at PISTON sa gitna ng nagpapatuloy na kilos-protesta laban sa Public Transport Modernization Program | @dzbb @gmanews pic.twitter.com/YpoCRTLiE6

— Christian Maño (@xtian_mano) August 14, 2024

According to Glen Juego’s report on super radyo dzBB, MANIBELA head Mar Valbuena said the group will be heading to Mendiola after voicing out their concerns.

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.

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. --Sherylin Untalan/ VAL, GMA Integrated News