Manibela chairman Mar Valbuena announced on Sunday that the transport group will lead a nationwide strike on Tuesday, January 16.
In an interview with CNN Philippines, the group stated that in-line with the transport strike, around 10,000 drivers and operators shall march starting from the University of the Philippines-Diliman to Malacañang to protest the government’s public utility vehicle (PUV) modernization program (PUVMP).
Valbuena mentioned that this protest is in hope that the government does not just extend the deadline for their franchise consolidation, but to extend the validity of their franchise and stop the implementation of the PUVMP.
Those who failed to comply with the deadline for the registration for the franchise consolidation under the PUVMP last December 31, 2023 will be allowed to ply their routes until January 31. Starting February 1, unconsolidated PUVs will be considered colorum.
Aside from Metro Manila, PUV drivers and operators from Calabarzon and Central Luzon, and other sectoral groups shall also hold simultaneous protest actions in their respective provinces according to Valbuena.
News by Sophia Suarez
