Transport groups end strike after meeting at Malacañang
Transport groups Manibela and Pinagkaisang Samahan ng mga Tsuper at Operator Nationwide (PISTON) announced the end of their nationwide strike Tuesday night after meeting with Malacañang officials on March 7.
Manibela chairperson Mar Valbuena, accompanied by PISTON president Mody Florada, met with Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Secretary Cheloy Garafil and Office of the Executive Secretary Undersecretary Leonardo Roy Cervantes to air their grievances over the implementation of the public utility vehicle (PUV) modernization program.
In a video uploaded on the official Facebook page of the PCO, Valbuena announced that transport group members had decided to end the strike and resume plying their routes on Wednesday, after Malacañang agreed to their call to scrap the mandatory phaseout of traditional jeepneys.
“Nagdesisyon ang aming grupo na ihinto ang transport strike kasama ang PISTON at pagbalik pasada na simula bukas,” Valbuena said.
He also apologized to the affected commuters and thanked them for their patience.
Valbuena likewise clarified that their groups were not opposed to the PUV modernization program, but rather wanted it done in a manner that would not put their livelihood at stake.
He said drivers would “hold onto the statement of our beloved President Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ Marcos Jr that the administration is open to studying and revising the plan to maintain the livelihood of drivers and operators.”
The PCO also welcomed the transport groups’ decision to end the nationwide strike that was supposed to run from Monday to Saturday but ended only after two days.
“Ikinalulugod ng Pamahalaan ang naging desiyon ng Manibela Transport Group na itigil ang isinasagawang transport strike ngayong linggo, na ipinatupad kaugnay sa kanilang pagtutol sa implementasyon ng Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program,” the PCO said.
