Manibela sets three-day transport strike on June 10-12

Transport group Samahang Manibela Mananakay at Nagkaisang Terminal ng Transportasyon (Manibela) has set another three-day "tigil-pasada" next week to protest the apprehension of unconsolidated jeepneys.

In a post on X, GMA Integrated News' Joseph Morong said Manibela scheduled the transport strike for June 10 to 12, 2024.

In a separate report on Super Radyo dzBB, Christian Maño said the group would also protest in front of the office of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA).

At least 100,000 Manibela members in Metro Manila, Calabarzon, Central Luzon, Ilocos Region, and Cordillera Administrative Region are set to join the nationwide strike. 

“Sana po ay matulungan n’yo rin ang ating naghihingalong drivers at operators,” said Manibela president Mar Valbuena in Joseph Morong’s “24 Oras” report.

(We hope the public can help struggling drivers and operators.)

The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) has been apprehending unconsolidated public utility vehicles (PUVs) whose franchises were revoked after the April 30 deadline for consolidation expired.

LTFRB Chairperson Teofilo Guadiz III denied that the agency had agreed with Congress to allow unconsolidated jeepney drivers to register for the whole year.

"What we said is pag-aaralan po namin kung ano ang magiging epekto nito sa transportation program, but we did not say yes,” said Guadiz.

(We said we would study its impact on the transportation program, but we did not say yes.)

"Iyong hearing and show cause is a part of due process...You have, by virtue of law, already lost your franchise. Ano pa bang strike ang sinasabi nila?" he added.

(The hearing and show cause are part of due process...You have, by virtue of law, already lost your franchise. Why would they still stage a strike?)

Meanwhile, the Department of Transportation (DoTr) said it was not worried about the possible impact of the strike on public transportation.

“Sanay na po ang lahat ng agency. In fact, our commuters in Metro Manila sanay na po sa kanilang plano,” DoTr Undersecretary Ferdinand Ortega said.

(Government agencies and commuters in Metro Manila are already used to transport strikes.)

The consolidation of PUVs is part of the initial stage of the government's PUV Modernization Program (PUVMP), under which jeepney operators and drivers should consolidate into cooperatives or have their permits revoked.

Started in 2017, the PUVMP aims to replace jeepneys with vehicles that have at least a Euro 4-compliant engine to lessen pollution.

Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista earlier said 80% of PUV operators and drivers have joined cooperatives as part of the PUVMP. —with Sundy Locus/KBK/VBL, GMA Integrated News