PISTON, MANIBELA hold 2nd day of transport strike vs. PUV modernization

Two transport groups continued with their second day of strike on Tuesday to protest the public utility vehicle (PUV) modernization program of the government.

Members of the Pagkakaisa ng mga Samahan ng Tsuper at Opereytor Nationwide (PISTON) and Samahang Manibela Mananakay at Nagkaisang Terminal ng Transportasyon or MANIBELA remained at Welcome Rotonda at the boundary of Quezon City and Manila on Tuesday morning after their vigil on Monday night, according to a report by Bam Alegre on Unang Balita.

The protesters occupied the southbound lane of Quezon Avenue from Welcome Rotonda to Blumentritt Street.

The jeepney drivers and operators said their protest action is a sacrifice they are willing to undertake to be able to air their opposition to the PUV modernization program.

“Nakita natin kung gaano kainit ‘yung pakikipaglaban nitong ating mga kasamahan. Sana mahal na Pangulo, ‘yung hinaing po nitong aming mga kasamahan mapakinggan ninyo at hindi ‘yung mga iilan lamang,” MANIBELA chairman Mar Valbuena said.

(We saw how passionate our members are in fighting for their cause. We hope, Mr. President, that you would listen to the appeal of our members, and not just listen to a few.)

MANIBELA said Day 2 of their two-day transport strike will show stronger protest.

Using the roof of a traditional jeepney, one of the speakers addressed the crowd of protesters on Tuesday morning.

Commuters affected by the closure of the southbound lane of Quezon Avenue said they just allotted more time to be able to get rides to their destination.

Valbuena said on Monday there were about 8,000 jeepney drivers and operators who attended the vigil that started around 5 p.m. to protest the consolidation under the PUV Modernization Program. —KG, GMA Integrated News