Manibela starts 3-day transport strike

MANILA, Philippines — Transport group Manibela started yesterday its three-day nationwide strike to protest alleged excessive fines, non-renewal of franchises and what it described as a “payola culture” at the Department of Transportation (DOTr) and the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board.

Members of the group gathered at designated strike points in Metro Manila, including Philcoa in Quezon City and Nagtahan in Manila.

The members stopped plying their routes, forcing some commuters to walk or seek alternative transportation.

Manibela head Mar Valbuena cited unfulfilled promises as a key reason for the strike.

He said that during the tenure of former DOTr secretary Vince Dizon, jeepney operators were assured that they could register their vehicles to continue operations, but these promises were not implemented.

Valbuena said preparations made by drivers, including vehicle repairs and inspections, were wasted.

Free rides

The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) deployed vehicles in Metro Manila to transport commuters affected by the strike.

The PCG said the initiative was in response to the directive of President Marcos to ensure the continuous travel of the public despite the transport strike.

Buses and trucks will be on standby in various routes to assist stranded commuters during the three-day strike, the PCG said.

In Malabon, the city government deployed nine vehicles to provide free rides.

Mayor Jeannie Sandoval said the initiative aims to ensure that no commuter would be stranded.

The city’s public safety and traffic management office said the fleet includes a tow truck, an L300 van, two Travis vans, three APVs, a dropside truck and two troop carriers.

The Philippine National Police also deployed personnel to key areas to maintain order and assist affected passengers. — Mark Ernest Villeza