MANIBELA begins 3-day transport strike

Transport group MANIBELA on Monday morning started its three-day transport strike as protest in relation to the PUV modernization program.

MANIBELA earlier announced that it would hold a transport strike from March 24 to 26, 2025, as it alleged that the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) misrepresented the consolidation figures of public utility vehicle operators and drivers under the PUV modernization program.

Along the Punta-Quiapo and Punta-Divisoria routes, more than 40 jeeps joined the strike, based on an Unang Balita report of James Agustin. 

MANIBELA Punta chapter president Reynold Malana said that around 80 of their members will participate in the strike, translating to 60 jeeps that will not be accepting commuters in the area. 

Many jeeps coming from other transport groups were still seen plying their usual routes early Monday morning.

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Some commuters said they were not aware that a transport strike will take place this week, while others said that they were not very much concerned as there are other public utility vehicles available. 

MANIBELA posted photos on its Facebook page, showing several passengers in Las Piñas, Quezon City, Pasay, Parañaque, and Caloocan, among other areas, who were supposedly stranded amid the transport strike.

Dialogue

In a press conference, the Department of Transportation (DOTr) called on MANIBELA to stop the strike and air its concerns to the government through a dialogue to avoid affecting the commuters.

“Nananawagan po ako sa grupong MANIBELA kay Ka Mar Valbuena na sana imbes mag-strike tayo at papahirapan pa natin ang mga commuter natin, sana mag-usap na lang tayo kasi open naman tayo,” DOTr Secretary Vince Dizon said.

(I appeal to MANIBELA and its leader Ka Mar Valbuena that instead of going on strike and further tormenting our commuters, let's just talk because we are open to dialogue.)

“'Yung mga hinaing nila papakinggan natin at gagawan natin ng solution kung anuman ang magiging problema nila,” he added.

(We will listen to their grievances and find solutions to whatever problems they may have.)

Dizon also expressed openness to some changes in the PUV modernization program to address the concerns of transport groups.

He said the department will present a “solution” in two weeks after its talks with more stakeholders.

“Absolutely, we're open to changes. This time it would be different. We would be open to changes because clearly there are some issues that need to be resolved,” he said.

To ease the impact of the transport strike, Dizon said that buses are on standby to provide free rides to stranded commuters.

More buses are also deployed in EDSA Carousel to accommodate more passengers.

According to Dizon, more trains are also deployed in Light Rail Transit Line 1 (LRT-1) and Manila Metro Rail Transit System Line 3 (MRT-3).

He said the PUV modernization program will not be stopped but the DOTr will still check the “real situation” on the ground in connection with the project.

“Walang puwedeng kumontra sa modernization. Hindi natin sinasabing ihihinto,” he said.

(No one can oppose modernization. We are not saying we will stop it.)

“Ang sinabi ko kailangan nating i-validate ang numero. 'Yung mga nag-consolidate na kailangan nating suportahan sila para tuloy-tuloy ang modernization. Pero kailangan nating tignan din ano ba ang totoong situation on the ground. At kung ano ang kailangan gawin ng gobyerno para maging successful ito, dapat gawin,” he added.

(What I said was we need to validate the numbers. Those who have consolidated, we need to support them so that modernization can continue. But we also need to see what the real situation is on the ground. And what the government needs to do to make it a success.)

Consolidation

In response to MANIBELA, LTFRB spokesperson Atty. Ariel Inton, Jr. clarified the claim that 86% of PUV operators and drivers have consolidated for the PUV modernization program.

“‘Yun pong 86% na binabanggit, ‘yan po ‘yung 86%...of the total number of units with franchise. So hindi lang PUJ, ibang denomination. ‘Yan ‘yung mga nag-apply for consolidation… Out of the 86%, 43% ang nakatapos na ng proseso at compliant na po for consolidation,” Inton said in an Unang Balita interview. 

(The 86% was of the total number of units with franchise, and not just the PUJs. Those were  the number of units that applied for consolidation. Out of the 86%, 43% were able to complete the processes and are now compliant for consolidation.) 

“Para ma-reconcile at hindi masabing sinungaling po ang ahensya, ‘yun po, 86% refers to the total number of applications that were filed for consolidation, ‘yung may mga intent to consolidate,” he added.

(To reconcile and for the agency not to be called a liar, that’s it—the 86% refers to the total number of applications that were filed for consolidation or those that have the intent to consolidate.) 

The LTFRB spokesman said the status of the remaining units that have yet to complete the requirements for the consolidation are still “in process”

Meanwhile, he pointed out the 86% that have applied for consolidation already have provisional authority, regardless if they are already fully compliant or not.

Pro-modernization

Some transport groups on Monday trooped to the LTFRB Central Office in Quezon City to express their support for the government’s public utility vehicle modernization program.

Among the transport groups who support the Public Transport Modernization Program (PTMP) include Pasang Masda, ALTODAP, ACTO, Busina, and CURODA, according to a report of Allan Gatus onb Dobol B TV.

“Ang tao ngayon sawa na sa tigil-pasada. Galit na ang mananakay, galit na ang sambayanan sa tigil-pasada na 'yan,” Pasang Masda national president Obet Martin told reporters.

(People are now fed up with transport strikes. Commuters and the people are angry with transport strikes.)

“Ang aming ginagawa ay ang dapat tularan ng bawat isa — ugnayan sa ating [Transportation Secretary Vince Dizon, LTFRB Chairperson Teofilo Guadiz III, at Land Transportation Office chief Assistant Secretary Vigor Mendoza II],” he added.

(What we are doing should be followed — working with our Transportation Secretary Vince Dizon, LTFRB Chairperson Teofilo Guadiz III, and Land Transportation chief Assistant Secretary Vigor Mendoza II.)

Martin pointed out that the transport groups who supported the modernization program are “constructive” and want the best for the commuters.

Started in 2017, the PTMP, formerly the PUV Modernization Program (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 not deemed roadworthy.

A modern jeepney unit costs over P2 million, an amount that even state-run banks LandBank and Development Bank of the Philippines said was too expensive for PUV drivers and operators.

The consolidation of individual PUV franchises into cooperatives or corporations is the initial stage of the modernization program. Unconsolidated units are considered colorum. —AOL/KG, GMA Integrated News