Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, October 17) — The strike triggered by corruption allegations against transport authorities had little or no impact on traffic and commuters nationwide, according to the Department of Transportation (DOTr).
In a statement on Monday, the DOTr said it received a report from the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) stating that “only a handful” of protesters joined the strike staged by Manibela. https://www.cnnphilippines.com/transportation/2023/10/9/manibela-transport-strike-october-16.html
“Based on the nationwide monitoring of the transport strike/rally staged by MANIBELA, it did not, in any way, disrupt public transportation service in the country,” the LTFRB said in its report to Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista.
Bautista said Monday’s strike “failed” after the Magnificent 7 — which has a larger membership — did not join the protest.
The Magnificent 7 is composed of Pasang Masda, the Alliance of Transport Operators and Drivers Association of the Philippines, Pinagkaisang Samahan ng mga Tsuper at Opereytors Nationwide, Alliance of Concerned Transport Organizations, Federation of Jeepney Operators and Drivers Association of the Philippines, Stop and Go, and Liga ng Transportasyon at Operators ng Pilipinas.
The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) was the first to claim that Manibela’s protest failed to paralyze public transportation services in the capital region. https://www.cnnphilippines.com/news/2023/10/16/MMDA-says-Manibela-fails-to-paralyze-public-transport.html
Manibela hit back by questioning the class suspensions and various local governments’ deployment of free rides.
“Unang-una, ano ang reason ng pagsuspinde nila ng pasok? Ano ang reason ng pagkakaroon ng libreng sakay despite na minamaliit po ang grupo namin?” the jeepney group posted in its Facebook page.
[Translation: First of all, what is the reason for them suspending classes? What is the reason for deploying free rides despite our group being belittled?]
