ZAMBOANGA CITY – Several transport groups in Region 9 (Zamboanga Peninsula) have rejected the week-long nationwide transport strike led by a big transport organization in Metro Manila.
PUBLIC utility jeepneys ply their normal routes in Zamboanga City after transport groups rejected the call for a nationwide transport strike. (Photo via Liza Jocson)
In an advisory on Monday morning, March 6, the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board-9 described the public transport situation in the region as normal as public utility vehicles served their usual routes.
In a statement, the Micro-Entrepreneurs Multi-Purpose Cooperative’s transport arm opposed the strike by led by Manibela.
“There was no meeting or consultation made with our group and to different national transport leaderships before the declaration of the supposed national strike,” they said.
They said there was no Department of Transportation and LTFRB consultation conducted about the issues and concerns of the transport sectors before the declaration.
Zamboanga City Tri J, a transport group, did not participate in the transport strike and expressed support to the government’s public utility vehicle modernization program.
They believe the strike will “create alarm and greatly affect the riding public in the city of Zamboanga, and in which, as an adverse effect, may slow down the growth and progress of the city.”
Similar statements were issued by the Liloy Labason Gutalac Van Transport Cooperative, the Starlight Express Cooperation, and the Federation of Land Transportation of Zamboanga (Feltranz).