Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, July 12) — A transport group announced on Wednesday its plan to stage a three-day nationwide strike beginning July 24, the day of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s second State of the Nation Address (SONA).
Manibela said it will hold the strike to protest the government’s public utility vehicle (PUV) modernization program and its alleged failures to address the sector’s needs.Nationwide Transport Strike! Kahit isa wala pading nasusulosyunan sa ating mga inilatag na problema. July 24, 25 and 26! Natapat pala ng SONA! Magkaisa po tayong lahat mga ka MANIBELA,” it wrote on Facebook.[Translation: Nationwide Transport Strike! Not one of the problems we raised has been solved. July 24, 25 and 26! It coincides with SONA! Let’s unite fellow members of MANIBELA.]In a Facebook live Wednesday evening, Manibela chairman Mar Valbuena said another group expressed readiness to join the strike.’Yung isang kasamahan po natin, ‘yung Piston, ang alam ko nagpahayag narin na ‘yung grupo nila magtitigil-pasada rin at sasama po sa protesta sa July 24,” he said.
[Translation: Our companions from the group Piston, as far as I know, have also voiced their intention to stop operations and join the protest on July 24.]
State-owned PTV reported that Manibela expects around 300,000 of its members to participate in the planned action.CNN Philippines is trying to get a comment from Malacañang.
In March, Manibela and Piston also staged a transport strike which was supposed to last for a week, although it ended early after they met with government officials. At that time, Marcos assured them that his administration will review the PUV modernization program.
