A THREE-day nationwide transport strike Transport group was announced by MANIBELA starting Wednesday, November 22, 2023.
MANIBELA chairman Mar Valbuena said they are opposing the government’s PUV Modernization Program. Another transport group, PISTON, is currently on Day 2 of its transport strike
PISTON, the Pinagkaisang Samahan ng mga Tsuper at Operators Nationwide, is particularly opposed to the December 31 deadline given to jeepney operators for consolidation in connection with the modernization program.
In a press briefing, Valbuena said the deadline, if not extended, will render them colorum come January 1, 2024. He said this would lead to a bigger transport strike next year.
“Kung hindi mai-extend, January 1 colorum na kami, siguradong mas malawak, mas matinding transport strike ang sasalubong sa bagong taon. Sinisigurado ko po iyan,” Valbuena said.
Valbuena said MANIBELA members are not forced to join the transport strike.
“Hindi namin pinipilit ‘yung iba naming kasamahan. Kung ayaw po, hindi po natin dapat pilitin,” he said.
Valbuena urged those who have no important business outdoors to just stay in their homes during the duration of their transport strike.
