MANILA — Public transportation remained unaffected on Monday morning amid the transportation strike, according to Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) Chairman Romando Artes.

“We haven’t monitored any cessation of operations. Our public transportation system is running as usual,” Artes stated in a radio interview on Monday (April 15, 2024).

“We haven’t deployed any free rides yet because it’s not necessary at this point,” he added.

Artes mentioned that some jeepney drivers might only participate in the protest during the afternoon.

“These jeepney drivers are earning a living, and their livelihoods are disrupted by the calls for a strike, affecting not only them but also their families,” Artes explained.

Transport groups Piston and Manibela announced a nationwide transport strike as the deadline for the consolidation of public utility vehicle (PUV) drivers and operators approaches. The new deadline for consolidation is April 30.

Artes stated that the MMDA has prepared 400 vehicles for free rides in response to the anticipated transportation strike.

(el Amigo/MNM)

By Liezelle Soriano

MANILA — Transportation group Manibela has scheduled a transport protest on January 16, opposing the Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program.

Manibela president Mar Valbuena anticipates the participation of around 10,000 to 15,000 individuals from various sectors in the protest.

The event is set to commence at 9 a.m. from the University of the Philippines-Diliman, heading towards Mendiola, the group announced. Simultaneous protests are also planned in different provinces.

The primary objective of the modernization program includes replacing jeepneys that are 15 years or older with cleaner, newer models and consolidating drivers and operators into cooperatives or corporations.

(el Amigo/MNM)

Ni Liezelle Soriano

MANILA — Itutuloy ng transport group na Piston ang dalawang araw na transport strike matapos ianunsiyo ni Pangulong Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. na hindi palalawigin ang deadline para sa consolidation ng public utility vehicles (PUV) operators.

Itinakda ng grupo ang transport strike mula Disyembre 14 (Huwebes) hanggang 15 (Biyernes).

“Walang malinaw na batayan ang gobyerno para ipagpilitan ang deadline. Lalo lang nila papatayin ang mamamayan,” ayon sa Piston.

Iginiit ng grupo na halos 70 porsiyento ng public utility jeepneys at 60 porsyento ng UV Express units ang hindi na makakabiyahe sa NCR dahil sa transport strike, base sa datos ng Department of Transportation (DOTr) at Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Lupon (LTFRB).

Dagdag pa nito, kailangan pang kumpletuhin ang local public transport route plan (LPTRP), at karamihan sa mga local government unit ay hindi pa handa para sa konsolidasyon.

“‘Yung claim na 70% na ang consolidated ay misleading,” ayon pa sa PISTON.

“‘Pag jeeps sa NCR (National Capital Region), 26% pa lang ang consolidated. ‘Pag UVE (UV Express), 36% pa lang ang consolidated,” dagdag pa nito.

(ai/mnm)

The Pagkakaisa ng mga Samahan ng Tsuper at Operator Nationwide (PISTON) has concluded its second day of a nationwide transport strike, which, despite its intent to disrupt public transportation operations, saw little impact on the metropolis. Prompt responses from national and local government units ensured the immediate deployment of free rides along affected routes.

In a parallel development, the Malayang Alyansa ng Bus Employees at Laborers (MANIBELA) declared during a press briefing on Tuesday, November 21, 2023, that it is staging its mass action starting Wednesday (22 Nov 2023). It will allegedly be participated in by 200,000 drivers and operators nationwide.

Both transport groups adamantly oppose the government’s Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program (PUVMP), particularly the scheduled phase-out of traditional jeepneys on December 31, 2023, saying all of them will be declared “colorum” if they won’t toe the line after the last day of 2023, and by then they won’t be able to ply their routes anymore.

(Benjamin Cuaresma/ai/mnm)

The nationwide transport strike on Monday (16 Oct 2023) rolled out as planned by the Manibela Transport Group, culminating with a protest rally on the historic Mendiola Bridge in Legarda, Manila, where around 200 individuals and 50 vehicles participated.

The demonstrators called on the Marcos administration to address the alleged corruption within the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) and demanded an extension of the deadline for the mandatory jeepney consolidation under the Public Utility Vehicle Modernization program.

However, in Metro Manila, the nationwide transport strike had minimal impact on public transport operations, as noted by MMDA Chair Romando Artes. He also emphasized that the first day of the strike on Monday did not significantly disrupt public transportation services.

Visuals from the rally show protesters waving large banners, with members of the Manila Police District present to maintain order on the ground.

(Report & photography by Benjamin Cuaresma/ai/mnm)