Manibela ends transport strike Thursday amid LTFRB appeal

Transport group Manibela ended its intended three-day strike on Thursday instead of Friday amid the appeal of the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board.

In a report on Unang Balita, GMA Integrated News’ James Agustin said Manibela announced the decision after a meeting with officials of the Department of Transportation and LTFRB Wednesday.

Manibela kicked off its transport strike against corruption on Wednesday.

“Nakiusap din sila na sana itigil na natin itong protesta kasi nga aminado sila na hirap ang ating mga mananakay. Wala halos masakyan. Kaya sabi ni [LTFRB chairperson Teofilo E. Guadiz III], ‘Nakiusap ako na sana itigil na natin itong protesta. Tutal, nag-uusap naman tayo.’” Manibela chairperson Mar Valbuena said in an interview.

(They also asked us to stop this protest because they admitted that our commuters are having a hard time. No available rides. That’s why LTFRB chairperson Teofilo E. Guadiz III said, ‘We are appealing to stop this protest. After all, we are already talking.’)

“Huling araw na ito ng aming transport strike at bukas ay magiging normal na. Ngayon siguro, mananawagan na lang kami after ng protesta namin. Baka after lunch, pabalikin na namin lahat yung aming mga kasamahan sa biyahe,” he added.

(This is the last day of our transport strike and tomorrow it will be normal. Maybe today, we will just finish our program. Maybe after lunch, we will send all our fellow drivers back to the road.)

Meanwhile, transport group PISTON launched Thursday its one-day protest action against corruption following reports of anomalous flood control projects of the government.

Some members of PISTON gathered in E. Rodriguez Avenue corner Araneta Avenue in Quezon City around 7 a.m., according to a report of GMA Integrated News’ Susan Enriquez on Unang Balita.

According to PISTON, at least 11 strike centers have been set up in different areas including the following:

Metro Manila

• E. Rodriguez Avenue corner Araneta Avenue, Quezon City (main strike center)
• Sta. Mesa, Manila
• Pasig Palengke
• Sucat Hi-way, Parañaque
• Roxas Boulevard in Baclaran, Pasay
• Prime City Terminal, Alabang

Laguna 

• Pacita and Olivarez, Binan
• Dita Rotonda 
• Sarecasp - Katapatan
• Mamatid
• Cafetoda - Calamba

Protesters from Metro Manila will converge and assemble in front of the University of Santo Tomas on España Boulevard, Manila at 1 p.m. They will march to Mendiola at 1:30 p.m. and start a program at 2 p.m.—Joviland Rita/AOL, GMA Integrated News