Transport strike to proceed today

The transport strike will proceed today as scheduled, after Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) Chairman Romando Artes downplayed the mobilization of unconsolidated public utility jeepneys (PUJs), transport group Manibela president Mar Valbuena said yesterday.

- BELLA CARIASO

He said the group will insist on the suspension of the implementation of the public utility vehicle modernization program (PUVMP) after President Marcos did not heed the Senate resolution to suspend it.

“The transport strike does not only focus on the suspension in the implementation of the PUVMP, but also to express our opposition to a program which is unfair and not affordable to ordinary drivers and operators,” Valbuena said.

He added that the success of the transport strike is not measured by an immediate result, but the ability of the affected drivers and operators to unite in expressing their position.

“The statement of Chairman Artes downplaying our transport strike only proves his lack of understanding of the purpose of the mobilization,” Valbuena added.

He said the transport strike aims to prove that many jeepneys and operators are still against the PUVMP.