Transportation group Manibela on Wednesday announced a three-day nationwide tigil pasada of traditional jeepneys, starting from July 24 to July 26.
Manibela National President Mar Valbuena made the announcement during their General Assembly and Press conference held at the University of the Philippines (UP) Diliman in Quezon City.
According to Valbuena, the transport strike is their protest against the public utility vehicle (PUV) modernization and phaseout of public utility jeepneys (PUJs).
The tigil pasada will coincide with the second State of the Nation Address (SONA) of President Ferdinand 'Bongbong' Marcos Jr. slated on July 24 in the House of Representatives, Quezon City.
"Sa ating mahal na presidente, ito ang sasalubong sa inyo sa SONA kung hindi ninyo tatanggalin at masosulusyunan ang problema ng traditional jeepney at traditional transport na iniipit hanggang ngayon. Pinapahirapan, walang makain, at nababaon sa utang 'yung iba naming kasamahang lumapit sa amin," the Manibela National President said.
Valbuena said Marcos should direct Department of Transportation (DOTr) Secretary Jaime Bautista and Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) Chairman Teofilo Guadiz to address their plights.
"Sana hindi kami pinaiikot-ikot, hindi kami pinaasa, at hindi pinakikinggan lang ay 'yung mga may pera na kayang bumili ng kanilang prinsipyo," he added.
The Manibela National President said at least 300,000 Manibela members from various regions are expected to participate in the three-day nationwide tigil pasada.
Last February, Manibela and other transport groups declared a one-week nationwide tigil pasada, but was called off early after their dialogue with Malacañang Palace.
