MANILA — Jeepney group Manibela held a mobilization right outside the main office of the Department of Transportation (DOTr) in San Juan City on Wednesday as part of the third day of its transport strike.

Manibela announces 3-day transport strike

Dozens of Manibela  members occupied the bike lane and one other lane along EDSA-Connecticut which caused traffic to build up.

“Humihingi tayo ng pang-unawa sa ating mga kababayang motorista kung naabala man po kayo ngayon,” said Manibela Chairman Mar Valbuena.

(We are asking our fellow motorists for some understanding in case we have inconvenienced you)

Manibela transport strike starts, affects commuters

Valbuena said they trooped to the DOTr to show that they were ready and willing to hold talks with Transportation Secretary Vince Dizon, who has been calling for a dialogue with them since last week, on the Public Transport Modernization Program (PTMP).

No DOTr official faced the protesters. But according to the agency and Valbuena himself, Dizon personally called him up the previous night and tried to schedule a proper meeting on Thursday or Friday.

They failed to settle on a date.

“Sabi ninyo kahit anong araw pwede. Bakit ngayon wala kayo? Sasabihin ko sa kanya na gusto naming maging legal ang aming hanapbuhay. Ibalik ang aming mga prangkisa, ibalik ang aming mga provisional authority, ibalik ang aming mga rehistro, ibalik ang aming mga ruta,” said Valbuena.

(You said we could talk on any day, how come you aren't available? I want to tell him that we want our livelihoods to be legal. Give us back our franchises and provisional authority, give us our registrations and routes back)

In a statement, the DOTr stressed that while it respects the group’s right to hold protests, its doors remain open for talks.

“Katulad ng maayos na pakikipagusap ng DOTr sa iba pang transport groups, naniniwala ang ahensya na ito ang pinaka-epektibong paraan upang magkaroon ng konkretong solusyon sa mga matagal ng isyu tungkol sa programang ito”, it added.

(As we had productive dialogues with other transport groups, the DOTr believes this is the most effective way to reach a concrete solution to the long-standing issues of this program)

Meanwhile, Valbuena hailed their strike so far as a success, adding that they are planning to extend it until Friday.

'Laban hanggang ikamatay namin ito', Manibela on 2nd day of transport strike

That’s despite the government saying that the group has failed to paralyze the public transportation system.

Manibela mulls extending transport strike until Friday

Commuters on the other hand gave mixed impressions, with some saying they found it harder to catch a ride while others said it has been like any other regular day.

“Ang tinitignan lang kasi nila yung ma-paralyze natin yung transportasyon pero hindi nila makita yung mas malaking nawawala sa taumbayan… Hindi normal na walang klase mula Lunes hanggang Biyernes,” Valbuena insisted.

(They are only looking at whether we paralyzed transportation, but they are not looking at what the people lose... It is not normal not to have classes from Monday to Friday)

Jeepney driver Renato Dela Peña said he was prepared to go on strike for two more days for their common cause even if it means loss of income.

“Sakripisyo din po sa amin yun kasi kailangan naming itigil muna yung aming biyahe para yung aming kabuhayan, magdire-diretso… Mangungutang lang muna ako sa operator ko muna,” he said.

(It is also a sacrifice for us to not ply our routes to fight for our livelihoods to continue. I will have to borrow from my operator for now)

But another Manibela member and driver, Noel Dela Cruz, said he already had to go back to plying his route again this Wednesday after two days of not working.

“Isang araw nga lang po ng walang biyahe wala nang kakainin, ang hirap na. 'Yun pa kayang five days?” he said.

(One day of not working means we won't get to eat. What more if we stop for five days?)

TUSSLE WITH MMDA 

Just as everyone was leaving the rally, tensions rose between Manibela members and a traffic enforcer who tried to flag them over a traffic violation.

One Manibela member was caught on video striking the enforcer’s helmet, causing the visor to fall off.

According to the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA), it issued tickets to 15 jeepneys that were illegally parked along Connecticut Street, which it pointed out was a Mabuhay Lane or an alternative road for motorists who wish to avoid the EDSA traffic.

“[N]irerespeto ng pamahalaan ang karapatan ng bawat mamamayan para sa malayang pagpapahayag ngunit dapat itong isagawa nang mapayapa at hindi nakakaperwisyo sa kapwa,” said the MMDA in a statement posted on social media.

(The government respects the right of every citizen to freedom of expression but this must be done peacefully and without putting others at risk)