Manibela-led strike flops
THE transport strike staged by Malayang Alyansa ng Bus Employees at Laborers (MANIBELA) yesterday pushed through but offered only a little impact to the riding public with groups belonging to other organizations refused to join the cause and were seen plying their usual routes, according to Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA).
MANIBELA chairperson Mar Valbuena claimed that the entire 40,000 members came out and participated in their protest action with its core group converged at the UP Diliman compound in Quezon City.
“Based on our monitoring as of 11 a.m., there was no major disruption of public transportation in Metro Manila,” MMDA Acting Chairman Atty. Don Artes said during a press briefing held at the MMDA Head Office in Pasig City.
Artes noted that there was a passenger buildup in some areas, which he categorically described as usual Monday morning foot traffic.
Moreover, Artes refuted the claim of Valbuena that the government was intimidated by threats of strike which prompted several local government units (LGUs) and learning establishments to suspend classes. Some LGUs and government offices offered free rides to ensure the strike would not inconvenience commuters.
Local Government Secretary Benhur Abalos on Sunday downplayed the MANIBELA-led strike taking words from the leaders of “Magnificent 7” who assured them they would not participate in the “tigil-pasada”.
Abalos said the “Magnificent 7” is composed of Alliance of Transport Operators and Drivers Association of the Philippines (Altodap), Pinagkaisang Samahan ng mga Tsuper at Opereytors Nationwide (Piston), Alliance of Concerned Transport Organization (ACTO), Federation of Jeepney Operators and Drivers Association of the Philippines (Fejodap), Stop and Go, and Liga ng Transportasyon at Operators ng Pilipinas (LTOP).
The local government units suspended classes at all levels in Metro Manila. Other private colleges shifted to synchronous online classes.
On observations that the MANIBELA-led transport stoppage had only a minimal impact on the riding public, Valbuena replied by saying “bakit kaya nag-suspend ng klase ang mga paaralan natin, natatakot ba kayo na walang masakyan.”
Transport group Manibela is opposing LTFRB’s December 31 deadline for the consolidation of traditional jeepneys as part of the Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program (PUVMP).
He clarified that they are not against the program but for the implementation which is towards the direction of corruption. By Joel dela Torre and Edd Reyes
