Transport group MANIBELA commenced its own nationwide three-day transport strike or tigil pasada today, Wednesday, Nov. 22, in protest against the deadline for the consolidation under the Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program (PUVMP).
In a Facebook live video on Wednesday, Nov. 22, MANIBELA members gathered at University of the Philippines Diliman in Quezon City for the planned caravan to Mendiola in Manila.
LOOK: Caravan ng grupong Manibela mula Quezon City patungo ng Mendiola para sa kilos-protesta laban sa PUV modernization program | @dzrhnews pic.twitter.com/8ZH93eqMkE
— Christian Maño (@xtian_mano) November 22, 2023
In another Facebook live, jeepney drivers then drove their jeepneys on the road, beeping their jeepneys' horns and strongly shouting "No to PUV Phaseout!".
MANIBELA National President Mar Valbuena announced their nationwide three-day transportation strike in a press conference on Tuesday, Nov. 21.
"Kami sa MANIBELA at ibang kasamahan ay ito ay pinaninidigan. Simula bukas, ang MANIBELA at iba pa namin kasamahan ay kasama na mag titigil pasada, nationwide. Ina-announce natin ito. Hindi lamang dito sa NCR, sa buong Pilipinas, nationwide ito," he said.
"Ang MANIBELA ay mag titigil pasada bilang tugon sa ating hinaing na hindi binibigyan pansin ng DOTr [Department of Transporation] at LTFRB [Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board]," Valbuena added.
He said that an estimated 200,000 drivers and operators will participate in the transportation strike that will end on Friday, Nov. 24.
MANIBELA's strike overlaps with the tigil pasada spearheaded by fellow transport group, Pagkakaisa ng mga Samahan ng Tsuper at Operator Nationwide (PISTON).
