Manibela and Piston on Tuesday, April 16, ended their two-day transportation strike aimed to oppose the national government's April 30 deadline for franchise consolidation under the Public Utility Vehicle (PUV) modernization program.
Members of Manibela left the vicinity of Welcome Rotonda, Quezon City, where they held their protest, early morning, as per RH Val Gonzales' report.
UPDATE: Mga PUJs na iniharang sa Welcome Rotonda, isa-isa nang inaalalayan ng QCPD para mas mabilis na makaalis sa lugar | RH 5 Val Gonzales @dzrh5 #DamdamingBayan #SamaSamaTayoPilipino pic.twitter.com/rduKLG0wiH
— DZRH NEWS (@dzrhnews) April 16, 2024
In an interview with reporters, Manibela chairperson Mar Valbuena said they decided to go home to allow their members to rest after two sleepless nights.
"Dalawang gabi na silang puyat, gusto naman natin na makapagpahinga rin. Matagumpay naman [ang tigil pasada]," he said.
The Manibela chairperson hopes their position would reach President Ferdinand 'Bongbong' Marcos Jr.
"'Yung tagumpay, kung may na-paralyzed tayo, may nahirapan, masakit sa kalooban namin. Masakit din sa loob namin na nakakaabala kasi kami nga kapag mawalan kami ng hanap-buhay, masakit din sa amin ito. Kaya sana mapakinggan na tayo ng ating pangulo," he said.
Marcos earlier pronounced that there would be no more extension of the PUV franchise consolidation after the April 30 deadline. But the Chief Executive assured that jeepney drivers would not be indebted due to the PUV modernization program.
Meanwhile, members of Manibela had maintained their stance that they would still not consolidate their legislative franchises, according to RH Edwin Duque's report.
Valbuena said they would continue to ply their routes through their traditional jeepneys even if they get intercepted by authorities.
He stressed further they could not afford the million-worth modernized jeepneys.
Manibela, iginiit na hindi pa rin magpapa-consolidate | RH 23 @edwinduqueRH23 #MBCTVNetworkNews#SamaSamaTayoPilipino
— DZRH NEWS (@dzrhnews) April 16, 2024
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