MANILA — Despite the Manibela transport strike, jeepney operations in the Evacom area of Paranaque City remain largely unaffected on the third day of the strike.

The strike, which began on Monday, March 24, is Manibela’s protest against the government’s Public Utility Vehicle (PUV) modernization program.

Most jeepney drivers in the area chose to continue their routes, citing the need to earn a living and the relative ease of finding passengers.

Manibela mulls extending transport strike till Friday

Drivers like Edwin said passengers had an easy time getting a jeepney ride.

“May pasahero naman… Wala naman (sila reklamo) pag nakasakay sila… Oo tuloy (ang biyahe) hanggang maghapon ako, kailangan,” Edwin said.

Meanwhile, Isidro, another driver, said that he did not want to lose a day’s income and stressed that a lot of jeepneys continue to operate despite the transport strike in Paranaque.

“Sayang yung araw eh pag sumali ka dun… Wala namang pilitan kung sasali ka o hindi… Tuloy-tuloy naman (ang biyahe). Dito sa Paranaque marami namang nag bi-biyahe… marami (bumibiyahe kahit may tigil pasada),” he said.

Paolo, who claimed to be a Manibela member, said he had to work to provide for his family, adding that many students rely on jeepneys.

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

“Pag di kami bumiyahe, magugutom pamilya namin… Madaming estudyante,” Paolo noted.

Commuters confirmed that they had not encountered disruptions despite the ongoing transport strike.

Lina, a daily jeepney user, said she had no problem getting rides, particularly on her route to Sucat.

“Hindi naman mahirap (sumakay ng jeep) kasi pa Sucat ako eh,” she said. 

Angelito, another daily commuter, said his daily commute felt the same as any other week.

“Nakakasakay naman araw-araw… Wala naman akong na anong diprensya (sa pagsakay ng jeep) basta nakakasakay naman po ako,” Angelito said.

Leonard, a jeepney barker, mirrored the drivers’ and commuters’ statements, saying that jeepney rides were running smoothly and consistently.

“Walang problema sa ano ng pasahero saka sa jeep… Mas malakas tong biyahe dito talagang tuloy-tuloy,” he said.

The Manibela transport strike is a demonstration against the PUV modernization program, a government initiative that requires jeepney operators and drivers to form or join cooperatives.

SITUATION IN MANILA

In Santa Ana, Manila, one of Manibela’s designated strike centers, commuters have found it easier to board jeepneys despite the ongoing protest.

Among them is student John Arvie, who said he did not experience any major disruptions on his way to school.

"Hindi naman po. Kasi po hindi naman apektado iyong sinasakyan namin papunta sa school," said John Arvie.

Meanwhile, another student, Mikaela, chose to leave home earlier than usual due to concerns about limited jeepney availability.

The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board earlier stated that Manibela failed to paralyze public transportation despite the strike over the past few days.

Manibela, however, remains firm in its decision to finish the transport strike as a demonstration of its opposition to the government's jeepney franchise consolidation program.