Transport group sets three-day strike on March 24

Metro Manila, Philippines - Transport group Manibela will launch a three-day nationwide strike beginning Monday, March 24, to protest the alleged inaccurate and inconsistent figures on consolidated jeepneys released by government agencies.

Manibela chairperson Mar Valbuena on Wednesday, March 19, said the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) is “lying” for citing inaccurate data.

“Sa Lunes, magkakasa kami ng nationwide transport strike, tatlong araw ito. Pwede pang magbago ito, pwedeng bukas na depende sa init dahil sa pagsisinungaling ng LTFRB sa taong bayan,” Valbuena said.

[Translation: On Monday, we will stage a nationwide transport strike, it will be three days. It can change, it can be tomorrow, depending on the heat due to LTFRB’s lies to the public.]

Valbuena said LTFRB data show 86% of jeepneys have already been consolidated. He said this prompted President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to deny extending the consolidation deadline beyond Dec. 31, 2024.

Valbuena called this data inaccurate, citing its inconsistency with Transport Secretary Vince Dizon’s figures he revealed in a recent interview.

Citing Dizon, Valbuena said only 43% of public utility vehicles are consolidated. Of this number only 25 to 30% are jeepneys while 5 to 10% are buses and UVs.

“Maya’t maya pinag-iinitan kami ng mga enforcers dahil nga hindi kami naka-rehistro. Dahil nga sa maling datos na ibinigay ng DOTr (Department of Transportation) at LTFRB sa ating pangulo na nagsabi ng wala nang extension dahil sapat na ‘yung bilang na nag consolidate,” he added.

[Translation: Enforcers would harass us because we are not registered. This is because of the wrong data given by the DOTr and LTFRB to our president who said no extension because the number that consolidated was enough]

Valbuena said drivers stopped by enforcers are fined ₱10,000 for using an “illegal” vehicle and another ₱2,000 to claim back their driver’s license.

Valbuena called for sympathy from commuters, asking the public to understand that the strike is to protest for the livelihood of the drivers and operators.

In response, Dizon ordered Assistant Secretary Jojo Reyes to “conduct a dialogue with the concerned transport groups.”

In a statement, the DOTr said Dizon has considered the transport sector’s concerns and issues and will be tackled in a sit-down meeting among agencies involved.

Meanwhile, DOTr and other transportation agencies have begun preparing for the possible strike.