Transport group Samahang Manibela Mananakay at Nagkaisang Terminal ng Transportasyon (Manibela) on Monday, Oct. 9, announced that it will conduct a transportation strike or tigil pasada across the country.
In a press briefing, Manibela Chairperson Mar Valbuena said the transport strike is in protest against the government's Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program (PUV-MP) or the phaseout of traditional public utility jeepneys (PUJs).
The said strike will begin next Monday, Oct. 16.
"Araw-araw, pinapakain niyo kami ng kaba na hanggang December na lang kami [...] Simula sa susunod na Lunes, hindi tayo babyahe, dadalhin natin yung mga sasakayan natin sa harapan ng LTFRB main, sa harapan ng DOTr [Department of Transporation] hanggang Malacañang, doon natin ibubusina ang ating sasakyan," he said.
Valbuena said the transport strike will not only occur in the National Capital Region (NCR) but also in the provinces.
"Itatambak na namin ang jeepney lalo na dito sa NCR, itatambak na namin sa harapan ng Malacañang. Ayan ang gusto nila, ayaw nila kaming maghanap-buhay at ayaw kami mabuhay," he said.
The strike also aims to call for the resignation of Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) chief Teofilo 'Jojo' Guadiz and DOTr Secretary Jaime Bautista over alleged corruption.
The Manibela Chairperson then presented Jeffrey Tumbado, former Executive Assistant of LTFRB chairman Teofilo 'Jojo' Guadiz, who exposed that there were illegal transactions in the agency.
He said among these illegal transactions was "ruta for sale" and "special permit for sale".
"Kung operator ka at gusto mo makuha ang daan na ito lalo na sa probinsya, mag re-request ka. Pero kapag gusto mo mapadali, gusto mo mapasaiyo iyan kahit hindi pwede, eh hanapin mo ako. Halos araw-araw ay mangyayari na ganyan. Ako ang nilalapitan ako at ako ang binubulungan," Tumbado said, adding that LTFRB officials had even ordered him to immediately take care of the requests.
But he clarified that he does not asks for money in every transaction.
"Walang nanghihingi, kundi may naglalagay. Kung walang naglalagay, wala naman ganyan eh," the former Executive Assistant said.
Tumbado said he believe that LTFRB chief and has no idea on the corruption.
"I don't believe na siya lang o pansarili niya iyon, may instruction din from higher ups. I believe biktima din ito si chairman dahil may instruction daw from higher ups," he said.
The former Executive Assistant refused to drop names of the "higher ups".
