Fewer routes hit by transport strike on Day 2

BUSINESS AS USUAL. The nationwide transport strike organized by Manibela (Malayang Alyansa ng Bus Employees at Laborers Para sa Karapatan sa Paggawa) on Monday (Oct. 16, 2023) did not succeed in luring other transport groups to join their cause. Public utility vehicles plied their routes as usual in the cities of Las Piñas, Parañaque and Pasay, and along Epifanio de los Santos Avenue. (PNA photos by Avito C. Dalan)

By Raymond Carl Dela Cruz | Philippine News Agency

Fewer routes have been affected by the transport strike organized by the group Malayang Alyansa ng Bus Employees at Laborers (Manibela) on its second day, and remains to have no significant impact on public transportation operations.

In a statement on Wednesday, the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) said affected routes on Tuesday went down to two from nine on Monday.

“The operations of public utility vehicles (PUV) and the flow of passengers are not significantly impacted by sightings of rallyists,” the LTFRB said.

Nationwide monitoring as of 2 p.m. Tuesday showed that there were no transport strikes in any parts of the country.

On Monday, the LTFRB and the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority reported that the transport strike failed to paralyze public transportation in the National Capital Region, with free rides offered by national and local government agencies in affected routes.

Earlier, Manibela president Mar Valbuena said the strike was to protest the alleged corruption at the LTFRB and the Department of Transportation following the revelations of former LTFRB executive assistant Jeffrey Tumbado who later formally recanted his statements.

Valbuena said the strike is also to protest the government’s PUV modernization program that requires PUV operators to join or form cooperatives as well as replace traditional jeepneys and other PUVs with more environment-friendly alternatives by the end of 2023. 

 

Popular

SSS to roll out 3-year pension hike starting September 2025

By Anna Leah Gonzales | Philippine News Agency State-run Social Security System (SSS) said it will implement a Pension Reform Program, which features a structured,...

DOE to talk with DSWD, DILG for Lifeline Rate utilization

By Joann Villanueva | Philippine News Agency The Department of Energy (DOE) is set to discuss with other government agencies the inclusion of more Pantawid...

Zero-billing for basic accommodation in DOH hospitals applicable to everyone —Herbosa

By Brian Campued The “zero balance billing” being implemented in all Department of Health (DOH)-run hospitals across the country is applicable to everyone as long...

DepEd committed to address classroom shortage

By Brian Campued Department of Education (DepEd) Secretary Sonny Angara on Wednesday emphasized the importance of Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) in addressing the shortage of classrooms...