Members of the transport group Manibela remain at their jeepney terminal at the foot of Nagtahan Bridge in Manila as they hold a transport strike on August 12, 2024. Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News

Members of transport group Manibela launched a protest Monday, urging President Ferdinand Marcos Jr to scrap the Public Transport Modernization Program (PTMP).

Manibela to push through with 3-day transport strike

Manibela Chairman Mar Valbuena said the move would focus on “protest centers” in Monumento, Nagtahan, Pasig Palengke, Starmall - Alabang and other locations.

Other protest centers include the following. 

1. Monumento Circle

2. Nagtahan Manila

3. Pasig Palengke - Mang Inasal

4. Gatchalian Puregold Parañaque

5. Starmall Alabang

6. Punta Tulay Manila

7. Muñoz Market Quezon City

8. Marcos Hi-Way Marikina

9. Shell Brgy Gulod Novaliches QC

10. Camarin Zapote Road North Caloocan

11. Pulang Lupa Bernabe Las Piñas City

DOTr says with 83% consolidation rate, no need to suspend PUV modernization program

Jeepney drivers have criticized the President’s decision to push through with the program despite a Senate resolution urging its suspension.

Marcos shuns Senate call to suspend PUV modernization program

“Itong event namin today, mga protest centers ito kung saan yung mga drivers at operators ay sama-sama – yung mga magkakalapit ang ruta,” Valbuena told ABS-CBN News.

“Sana mapakinggan ng Pangulo. Hindi one-sided siya. Porket minority kami, babaliwalain niya kami. Sana mabasa ng ating Pangulo ang Senate resolution. Hindi dapat siya nagababase sa 80 percent na nakapag-consolidate na,” he added.

He said the country was not yet ready for the PUV modernization program.

The government launched the PUV modernization program in 2017. There have been multiple delays in its implementation due to protests and COVID-19.

Drivers opposed to the plan argue that buying a new vehicle would bury them in debt and they could not earn enough money to repay their loans and make a living.

PUV driver Dennis Macaballug said he would have no choice but to return to the province if the program pushes through.

“Pinaglalaban namin ‘yung biyahe namin dito. Inaprubahan na nga ng Senate (yung resolusyon), pinatigil naman ni Bongbong Marcos. Kawawa naman kaming mga driver,” Macaballug, who has been driving for 23 years, said.

“Yung mga anak ko nag-aaral pa. Kinakawawa kami ng mga modern (jeepney). Dapat ihinto na yan (PUV modernization),” he added.

Commuter Mary Adrales, meanwhile, said she does not know how she will get a ride for a job interview because of Mondau's protest. But she said she supports the drivers. 

“Kawawa naman sila. Magtitiis na lang. Papunta sana ako ng Paco, sa agency,” she said.