Groups push through with transport strike today

MANILA, Philippines — Transport groups are pushing through with the scheduled strike today, protesting the public utility vehicle modernization program after certain officials allegedly blocked the negotiation meeting at Malacañang yesterday, according to Manibela president Mar Valbuena.

Valbuena said the letters of Manibela did not reach President Marcos despite the commitment during the previous meeting at Malacañang that the concerns of transport groups would be addressed.

“There is finger-pointing as the letters did not reach the President. We don’t know if somebody blocked the letters and the reason for blocking them,” Valbuena said yesterday.

“There are certain people who do not want the problem to be settled as their corruption will be exposed. I will identify them soon. These are corrupt officials. The transport strike will proceed as planned,” he said.

He added that he was the one who decided to cancel the meeting after the alleged efforts to stop it.

Valbuena said at least 500 routes out of the total 785 routes in Metro Manila will join the transport strike.

“We have two venues, those who will be coming from the north, our assembly area will be at the University Avenue and we will proceed to the Land Transportation, Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) building. Those who are from Manila, at 8 a.m. they will gather in Mendiola, including those from Pasig, Mandaluyong, Pasay, Manila, San Juan, Malabon and Navotas,” Valbuena said.

While the transport strike will be concentrated in Metro Manila, provincial transport groups will hold their protest in front of the regional offices of the LTFRB, according to Valbuena.

“We are asking for the suspension in the implementation of the PUV modernization program. We are not asking for its outright scrapping but it should not be mandatory as we were given until Dec. 31 to comply. We are also asking that the validity of our franchise should be returned, at least for three years or better return the five-year (validity),” he explained.

Valbuena added that the President should also implement a revamp in the LTFRB.

“If this will not happen, the problem will persist,” he said.

Valbuena also asked the commuters for