Manibela stages 'surprise' protests ahead of planned 3-day transport strike | ABS-CBN
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Manibela stages 'surprise' protests ahead of planned 3-day transport strike
Manibela stages 'surprise' protests ahead of planned 3-day transport strike
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 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 NewsMANILA — Transport group Manibela on Monday staged surprise transport protests in different parts of Metro Manila, a few days before the scheduled 3-day nationwide transport strike on Wednesday.
MANILA — Transport group Manibela on Monday staged surprise transport protests in different parts of Metro Manila, a few days before the scheduled 3-day nationwide transport strike on Wednesday.
Members of the group went to Monumento in Caloocan City and condemned President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., who favored the implementation of the Public Transport Modernization Program (PTMP), previously called the Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program (PUVMP).
Members of the group went to Monumento in Caloocan City and condemned President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., who favored the implementation of the Public Transport Modernization Program (PTMP), previously called the Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program (PUVMP).
Manibela national chairman Mar Valbuena clarified this is not yet the previously announced nationwide transport strike.
Manibela national chairman Mar Valbuena clarified this is not yet the previously announced nationwide transport strike.
“Protesta pa lamang ito at sa Miyerkules pa namin ibubuhos yung talagang strike namin. Gusto lang natin sabihin sa gobyerno na nagsisimula pa lamang yung kalbaryo ng ating mga mananakay kung hindi aayusin yung pagpapatupad o implementasyon ng PUVMP," Valbuena said.
“Protesta pa lamang ito at sa Miyerkules pa namin ibubuhos yung talagang strike namin. Gusto lang natin sabihin sa gobyerno na nagsisimula pa lamang yung kalbaryo ng ating mga mananakay kung hindi aayusin yung pagpapatupad o implementasyon ng PUVMP," Valbuena said.
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Valbuena also urged Marcos to revisit his decision and to consider suspending the PTMP implementation.
Valbuena also urged Marcos to revisit his decision and to consider suspending the PTMP implementation.
“Mahal na pangulo, magpakalalaki ka, tingnan mo yung taongbayan na hirap na hirap makasakay ngayon, ito protesta pa lamang ito, para samin, hindi pa po ito transport strike. Mas malala pa po ang mangyayari sa mga susunod na mga araw,” said Valbuena.
“Mahal na pangulo, magpakalalaki ka, tingnan mo yung taongbayan na hirap na hirap makasakay ngayon, ito protesta pa lamang ito, para samin, hindi pa po ito transport strike. Mas malala pa po ang mangyayari sa mga susunod na mga araw,” said Valbuena.
“Alam natin mas marami ang hirap sa pagsunod dito sa implementasyon ng PUVMP dahil sa kaakibat na kurapsyon, pambabraso at pagpapahirap sa mga deadline na ibinibigay sa atin ng gobyerno,” Valbuena added.
“Alam natin mas marami ang hirap sa pagsunod dito sa implementasyon ng PUVMP dahil sa kaakibat na kurapsyon, pambabraso at pagpapahirap sa mga deadline na ibinibigay sa atin ng gobyerno,” Valbuena added.
He also asked for understanding from affected commuters.
He also asked for understanding from affected commuters.
“Kitang-kita namin 'yung paghihirap n'yo ngayong araw. Mas lalo pong mahihirapan kayo pag dumating 'yung araw na hindi na talaga kami makakabiyahe,” he said.
“Kitang-kita namin 'yung paghihirap n'yo ngayong araw. Mas lalo pong mahihirapan kayo pag dumating 'yung araw na hindi na talaga kami makakabiyahe,” he said.
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According to Valbuena, Manibela has yet to get a rally permit from the Manila City LGU, adding that the group would proceed to Mendiola on Wednesday with or without it.
According to Valbuena, Manibela has yet to get a rally permit from the Manila City LGU, adding that the group would proceed to Mendiola on Wednesday with or without it.
PISTON TO JOIN PROTEST STRIKE
PISTON, another transport group opposing the public utility jeepney (PUJ) consolidation, announced it would join Wednesday’s protest strike of Manibela.
PISTON, another transport group opposing the public utility jeepney (PUJ) consolidation, announced it would join Wednesday’s protest strike of Manibela.
In a press conference on Monday, PISTON national president Mody Floranda said the president did not hear the side of those against the PUJ consolidation when he decided to support the continued implementation of the program.
In a press conference on Monday, PISTON national president Mody Floranda said the president did not hear the side of those against the PUJ consolidation when he decided to support the continued implementation of the program.
“Dapat ang pangulo ay dapat nakatingin sa dalawang side, hindi lamang sa isa kung sino lang ang malapit sa kanya. Sabi natin, go tayo basta sa interest ng sambayanang Pilipino - may mga serye ng pagkilos tayong ilulunsad, magtutuloy-tuloy siyang protesta para singilin si Bongbong Marcos sa kanyang kapabayaan,” Floranda told the media.
“Dapat ang pangulo ay dapat nakatingin sa dalawang side, hindi lamang sa isa kung sino lang ang malapit sa kanya. Sabi natin, go tayo basta sa interest ng sambayanang Pilipino - may mga serye ng pagkilos tayong ilulunsad, magtutuloy-tuloy siyang protesta para singilin si Bongbong Marcos sa kanyang kapabayaan,” Floranda told the media.
Floranda said an estimated 5,000 jeepney operators and drivers of PISTON would join the protest in Metro Manila.
Floranda said an estimated 5,000 jeepney operators and drivers of PISTON would join the protest in Metro Manila.
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Meanwhile, Mary Grace Duldulao, a jeepney operator from Montalban Rizal who joined PISTON’s press conference, explained why she opted not to consolidate her 2 units of PUJ.
Meanwhile, Mary Grace Duldulao, a jeepney operator from Montalban Rizal who joined PISTON’s press conference, explained why she opted not to consolidate her 2 units of PUJ.
Duldulao favors the jeepney modernization program but wishes to maintain the iconic PUJ.
Duldulao favors the jeepney modernization program but wishes to maintain the iconic PUJ.
According to Duldulao, through the "Hulog Boundary" system, she spent P800,000 for her first PUJ unit and P500,000 for the second unit.
According to Duldulao, through the "Hulog Boundary" system, she spent P800,000 for her first PUJ unit and P500,000 for the second unit.
She is willing to modernize her units but not through consolidation under the PTMP.
She is willing to modernize her units but not through consolidation under the PTMP.
“Pabor po kami sa modernization, pero rehabilitation po ang gusto namin, hindi pagpapalit ng unit na mga minibus. Bakit kami magko-consolidate, kaya naming patakbuhin ang aming munting negosyo, wala ho kaming magagawa bakit ho?" she said.
“Pabor po kami sa modernization, pero rehabilitation po ang gusto namin, hindi pagpapalit ng unit na mga minibus. Bakit kami magko-consolidate, kaya naming patakbuhin ang aming munting negosyo, wala ho kaming magagawa bakit ho?" she said.
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"Hawak kami sa leeg, gusto man namin lumabas sa coop (cooperative) na aming sasalihan, ….hindi na namin puwedeng bawiiin ang aming prangkisa, wala rin kaming makukuhang unit. Bakit po? dahil ito po ay nakapangalan na sa coop na aming sasalihan."
"Hawak kami sa leeg, gusto man namin lumabas sa coop (cooperative) na aming sasalihan, ….hindi na namin puwedeng bawiiin ang aming prangkisa, wala rin kaming makukuhang unit. Bakit po? dahil ito po ay nakapangalan na sa coop na aming sasalihan."
Duldulao explained her fear of joining the consolidation, especially since she needed to allocate money for her two children's tuition.
Duldulao explained her fear of joining the consolidation, especially since she needed to allocate money for her two children's tuition.
Labor group Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU) said it will also join Wednesday’s transport protest to support the cause of drivers and operators.
Labor group Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU) said it will also join Wednesday’s transport protest to support the cause of drivers and operators.
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