Transport group Samahang Manibela Mananakay at Nagkaisang Terminal ng Transportasyon (Manibela) on Saturday announced the conduct of its three-day protest caravan with an estimated 25,000 of its members nationwide expected to participate.
The transport strike, set to take place from June 10 to 12, protests the apprehensions of unconsolidated jeepneys even after the Congress “allowed for a year-long registration.”
Manibela president Mar Valbuena said members joining the protest would come from Calabarzon, Central Luzon, Ilocos Region, and the Cordillera Administrative Region.
“The National Capital Region will be the concentration of the protests. No less than 25,000 will join the rally,” Valbuena said in Filipino.
“Maybe only two places in NCR will not be affected too much, Makati and Mandaluyong,” he added.
The transport leader also appealed for understanding as he apologized to commuters who will be affected by the transport strike.
“To our dear riders, I hope you understand. We will also be affected, our livelihood will also be affected for three days,” Valbuena said.
He also called on his members to avoid any altercations with authorities during the rally.
“We just hope that the government will not provoke us… We have been threatened to be arrested many times, but it is inevitable for us to fight back in whatever manner,” Valbuena said.
The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) has apprehended unconsolidated public utility vehicles (PUVs) whose franchises were revoked after the April 30 deadline for consolidation expired.
