Members of transport group MANIBELA join, for the first time, the larger multisectoral protest on Labor Day in Manila on May 1, a day after the deadline for franchise consolidation elapsed under the PUV modernization program. Mark Demayo, ABS-CBN News/File

MANILA -- Transport group Manibela will push through with its planned three-day transport strike in protest of the apprehension of unconsolidated public utility vehicles.

"Halos 'yung buong NCR po ang maapektuhan at kasado na ito bukas," said Mar Valbuela of Manibela in an interview on Teleradyo Serbisyo.

He said they already made final instructions to their members a day before the protest that will run until June 12, Independence Day. 

"Yung protesta natin, walang harangan (ng ibang driver), walang pilitan. 'Yung mga kusa lamang, Hindi dapat maapektuhan ang papasada ng iba," he said.

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They are appealing for the government to extend the deadline for the Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program for one year to allow their members to comply with the modernization without the need of cooperatives.

They also protest the looming apprehension of unconsolidated PUVs.

"Parang balewala kasi tayo sa programa. Tayo gusto rin natin ng modernization, pero yung mga kahilingan atin hindi naman po halos mapagbigyan... paulit ulit na iniignore lang tayo," he said.

"'Yung napagusapan sana ma-extend ayo ng isang taon at maipakita atin 'yung (ginagawa naming) prototype. Na maipakita natin na kayang sumunod sa programa Kahit hindi magconsolidate o pumasok sa kooperatiba."

Valbuena said most of their members refused to join the consolidation after witnessing some of the cooperatives went bakrupt.

"Gusto lang talagang makapaghanapbuhay na sarili lang nila ang prangkisa at hindi kami hawak sa leeg ng mga kooperatiba. Marami na pong precedent nito na nalugi na, nawala na sa hanapbuhay, gagaya pa ba tayo doon?" he said.

"Maraming pong lumapit sa amin na tumugon sa modernization program. 'Yun nga lang talagang bumili na lang uli ng mga traditional jeepney dahil nalugi ang mga koopertiba na sinalihan nila."

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He also blasted the Department of Transportation (DOTr) for their "total disregard" of the commuters' welfare.

"Ang sinasasabi ng DOTR hindi naman daw apektado ng mananakay... e hindi naman sila nagcocommute, hindi naman sila nahihirapang maistranded lalot kung sakaling uulan," said Valbuena.

"Ang sinabi nila sanay na daw ang taong bayan... Bale wala sa kanila ng taongbayan."

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