Ahead of the three-day planned transport strike to start on Monday, transport group Manibela on Friday conducted a strike in some parts of Metro Manila.
The group called for the resignation of Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) officials.
Manibela president Mar Valbuena said they proceeded with their rally due to different statements on the schedule of dialogue with officials of the Department of Transportation (DOTr).
“We started the strike today (Friday) because of the changes in the announcement of the schedule of dialogues,” he said.
“Last Tuesday, the executive assistant said they were available so we told them we were available, too. (Then) they said Secretary Vince Dizon was not available. They said he was available on March 26, and that they knew we had a planned transport strike,” he added.
Manibela members gathered at the Monumento Circle in Caloocan City, Pasig City and Nagtahan in Manila.
Earlier, the group announced they will hold a three-day transport strike from March 24 to 26 in protest of the public utility vehicle modernization program.
Despite their early strike, Valbuena said they would still go on with their scheduled transport strike on Monday.
Manibela said the LTFRB lied by claiming that 86% of the operators and drivers were already able to consolidate for the modernization program.