DAYS before its planned three-day strike, transport group Manibela on Monday launched a surprise strike in some parts of Metro Manila to protest the government’s Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program.
Manibela president Mar Valbuena said, “This event of ours today, these are protest centers where the drivers and operators are together — those who have a close route.”
He clarified that their activity was not yet the scheduled nationwide strike to begin on Aug. 14 until Aug. 16.
While President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. reaffirmed his stance to push through with the modernization program, Valbuena maintained that the country was not yet ready for such.
“I hope the President will listen. He is not one-sided. We are a poor minority, he will ignore us. I hope our President will read the Senate resolution. He should not be based on the 80 percent that has been consolidated,” Valbuena said.
Mr. Marcos earlier rejected a resolution passed by 22 senators to halt the PUVMP implementation, prompting Manibela to organize a three-day transport strike.
Manibela said the country is not yet ready for the PUV modernization program in Monumento and Camarin-Zapote, Caloocan City; Nagtahan and Punta Tulay, Manila; Pasig Palengke, Pasig City; Starmall, Alabang, Muntinlupa City; Gatchalian Puregold, Parañaque City; Marcos Highway, Marikina City; Muñoz Market and Baranga Gulod, Novaliches, Quezon City, and Pulang Lupa, Bernabe, Las Piñas City.
At a forum in Quezon City, Mody Floranda, Pagkakaisa ng mga Samahan ng Tsuper at Operator Nationwide (PISTON) national president, said they would support Manibela and join the three-day transport strike.
“Piston will continuously fight against the alleged fake jeep modernization program and the protests will continue in different parts of the country,” he said.
He said jeepney operators could not afford to acquire brand-new modernized units.
