MANIBELA to hold 3-day transport strike on March 24-26

Transport group MANIBELA will be conducting a three-day transport strike from March 24 to 26, 2025.

“Sa Lunes, magkakasa kami ng tatlong araw na transport strike.  Simula sa Lunes, March 24, ay dinedeklara naming ang nationwide transport strike,”MANIBELA’s Mar Valbuena said in a press conference.

He added they can stage the protest action earlier depending on what will happen next.

“Pwede pang magbago, pwede itong mangyari bukas na depende dahil sa pagsisinungaling ng LTFRB sa taumbayan,” he said.

He said the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board lied when it said that 86% of public utility vehicle operators and drivers have consolidated for the PUV modernization program.

“Ang sinasabi ng LTFRB na 86% na ang nagconsolidate at nakapag-comply. Naging mitsa ito kung bakit hindi na na-renew ang ating provisional authority at hindi na nakarehistro,” he said.

He said the figures given by the LTFRB were a lie so MANIBELA called on Transportation Secretary Vince Dizon to remove LTFRB officials from post.

“Kung hindi makikinig ang Secretary na tanggalin at sibakin itong regional directors at iba pang opsiyal ng LTFRB ay walang mangyayari sa  pagpaptupad ng PUV modernization,” said Valbuena.

Meanwhile, the Department of Transportation said in a statement Wednesday they are now seeking to sit down with representatives from the concerned transport groups in a dialogue in lieu of a strike to “ensur[e] that the welfare of our drivers and operators are protected.”

The DOTr added the affected government agencies are preparing contingencies to make sure that commuters will not be affected by the strike.

“The DOTr is closely working with the MMDA and our LGUs to provide free rides to address any inconveniences that our commuters may experience during this activity,” it said.

“Rest assured the Secretary has taken consideration of the concerns of the transport sector to improve the implementation of the PTMP and ways forward will be duly discussed in a sit-down meeting among them and the concerned government agencies,” it added. —Jiselle Anne Casucian/AOL/RF, GMA Integrated News