Manibela cuts short transport strike
Metro Manila, Philippines - Transport group Manibela ended a planned three-day transport strike against corruption and the jeepney modernization program in just two days, saying it has scheduled a meeting with transportation officials to air their concerns.
In an interview on Thursday, Sept. 18, Manibela chairman Mar Valbuena said the group met with officials from the Transportation Department, the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board, and the Land Transportation Office on Wednesday.
“Bukod sa isyu ng corruption, ‘yung aming mga hanay, basta roadworthy ang aming sasakyan, huwag muna i-apprehend…So nag-agree naman sila na magkaroon kami ng pag-uusap at mapagbigyan ang aming hiling,” he said.
[Translation: Aside from the issue of corruption, our group just asks that as long as our vehicles are roadworthy, we shouldn’t be apprehended… So they agreed to have a dialogue with us and to consider our request.]
Valbuena said even transport officials noticed that even commuters were affected by the strike on Wednesday, Sept. 17.
But in a press statement on Thursday, the LTFRB said the protest “failed to cripple transport,” saying there was minimal disruption on commuters.
Valbuena said their drivers will ply their routes beginning Thursday afternoon. The strike was supposed to last until Friday, Sept. 19.
He added that Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez’s resignation was also a factor in ending their strike. Romualdez stepped down from his post on Wednesday after his name was dragged into the flood control mess.
“Malaking factor iyon. Talagang sinasabi natin na iyong ganitong pagkilos ay malaking bagay na ma-pressure natin iyong mga korap at nagmamalalabis sa gobyerno,” Valbuena said.
[Translation: That's a major factor. We're really saying that actions like this play a big role in putting pressure on the corrupt and abusive officials in the government.]
The Manibela leader said his group will provide free rides during the major protest on Sunday, Sept. 21, against the flood control scandal.
