Transport groups start 3-day strike

Some transport groups started their three-day transport strike early on Monday, hours before the second State of the Nation Address (SONA) of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

According to GMA Integrated News reporter Joseph Morong’s tweet, members of the Malayang Alyansa ng Bus Employees at Laborers (MANIBELA) could be seen holding tarpaulins that read, “no to PUV phaseout” during their protest held at the University of the Philippines in Diliman, Quezon City.

MANIBELA also held a motorcade, which was attended by numerous drivers.

Manibela holds motorcade on first day of 3-day Tigil Pasada @gmanews @24OrasGMA pic.twitter.com/6rmi2DOyht

— Joseph Morong ???????? (@Joseph_Morong) July 24, 2023

Manibela group conducting its Tigil Pasada pass by groups against the State of the Nation Address. Three-day Tigil Pasada coincides with Pres. Marcos’ 2nd SONA #TigilPasada #SONA pic.twitter.com/IbAHOPmo3d

— Joseph Morong ???????? (@Joseph_Morong) July 24, 2023

Meanwhile, according to dzBB’s Mark Makalalad, Manibela also held a caravan at Commonwealth Avenue as part of the transport strike.

Grupong Manibela, nagsagawa ng caravan sa Commonwealth Avenue bilang bahagi ng kanilang transport strike @dzbb pic.twitter.com/iY45nZxrXn

— Mark Makalalad (@MMakalalad) July 24, 2023

The transport strike will be held from July 24 to July 26.

Participants will reportedly come from Metro Manila, Calabarzon, and Central Luzon.

Jeepney drivers and operators are required to join or form cooperatives under the PUV modernization program, which aims to replace traditional jeepneys with vehicles powered by more environment-friendly fuels.

In March, Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista said the government will review the 2017 Omnibus Franchising Guidelines, which serves as the framework for the Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program.

The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board also extended the deadline for jeepney operators to form cooperatives to December 31, 2023.

AFP, DPWH to provide rides

Meanwhile, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) said it will provide 17 military trucks, buses, and coasters for commuters who may be affected by the strike.

AFP spokesperson Colonel Medel Aguilar said this is part of their efforts to ensure a peaceful and orderly conduct of the SONA.

According to Aguilar, the vehicles will be under the operational control of the JTF-National Capital Region and will stay in their respective headquarters until given service routes by the Department of Transportation and the Metro Manila Development Authority.

Likewise, the Department of Public Works and Highways- National Capital Region (DPWH-NCR) offered free rides to commuters affected by the transportation strike.

The deployed DPWH vehicles will pass through 13 routes in Metro Manila and will ferry passengers in the cities of Pasig, Marikina, Valenzuela, Manila, San Juan, Muntinlupa, Navotas, Las Piñas, and Quezon City. The free ride service started at 7 a.m. on Monday and is expected to continue until jeepney operations return to normal. —Joahna Lei Casilao and Sundy Locus/KG/ VAL, GMA Integrated News