Manibela, a prominent transport group, began a 3-day transport strike in Metro Manila starting Wednesday, August 14, 2024, leading to significant worries among daily commuters. The strike, which will run until Friday, is a protest against President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s continued support for the Public Utility Vehicle (PUV) Modernization Program. Many drivers and operators are opposing the program, which they believe unfairly burdens them with high costs and threatens their livelihoods.
The key issue at the heart of this protest is the PUV Modernization Act, a government initiative aimed at replacing old jeepneys with more modern, environmentally-friendly vehicles. However, the hefty price tag of these modern jeepneys, often reaching up to P2.8 million, is a significant concern for many drivers. Aldrin Yubueno, a jeepney driver and member of Manibela, expressed his frustration, stating, “We will fight for our rights. How can we afford these modern jeeps when they cost P2.8 million? With P500,000, we can already get a good jeep.”
Despite the Senate’s appeal to pause the modernization program due to concerns from around 20 percent of jeepney drivers and operators who have yet to consolidate into cooperatives, President Marcos remains firm in his stance. This has fueled the ongoing strike, as drivers like Ricardo Losugreo lament the lack of support, saying, “Our rights are not being granted. They want us to give up. How will we survive?”
The strike has not garnered unanimous support within the transport community. Some drivers, particularly those already part of cooperatives, are continuing to operate. For instance, Romnick Neri, who drives the Navotas-Monumento route, mentioned that his cooperative affiliation allows him to continue working during the strike. Others, like Jeffry Soriano, are waiting for further instructions from their group before joining the protest.
The transport strike has left many commuters anxious about its potential impact on their daily routines. Leo Nueza, a regular jeepney rider, shared his concern, “It’s hard for us commuters. We wake up early, only to be late because of the difficulty in finding a ride.” Similarly, April Yaoto, another commuter, highlighted the challenges of finding transportation during rush hour, particularly with the added strain of the strike.
Adding to the tension, Piston, another group opposing the modernization program, has announced its participation in the strike. To maintain order, around 200 policemen were deployed at Monumento as early as 5 a.m. on Wednesday.
As the strike continues, the concerns of both drivers and commuters underscore the growing tension surrounding the PUV Modernization Program, with many eagerly awaiting the government’s response.
