Transport group Manibela will conduct a nationwide strike on Oct. 16 to protest the alleged corruption in the approval of the franchise for public utility vehicles (PUVs), its chairman said on Monday, Oct. 9.
Manibela chairman Mar Valbuena said they already obtained the commitment of all its members to join in the transport strike, particularly those in Metro Manila, Calabarzon (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, Quezon) and Central Luzon.
Their members, he said, are composed of drivers and operators of passenger jeepneys, UV Express and multicabs.
“This will be the biggest transport strike that the government will experience. This is not only a transport strike, we will also hold protest action in front of the LTFRB (Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board), DOTr (Department of Transportation), and Malacañang,” said Valbuena.
“We are not fighting the government, we are fighting corruption which is the reason why the Filipino people is suffering. We hope that our dear President will take action on this,” he added.
In a press briefing on Manibela in Quezon City, they presented a whistleblower on the alleged corruption in the approval of the PUV franchises.
As a leader of the transport group, Valbuena said he and their members also experienced the difficulty in getting franchises for their PUVs.
The LTFRB is yet to respond to the allegation while a DOTr offiicual said they will release a statement on the issue.