A motorcycle rider received first aid from transport strikers after he fell off his bike in front of the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) office in Quezon City, on Friday, Dec. 15.
According to Anakbayan -Pasay Chairperson Wilbert Saldon, a jeepney driver from MDIBAJODA (Mabini-Divisoria-Baclaran Jeepney Operators and Drivers Association), the victim suffered foot and knee injuries.
Saldon and a certain Kim tried to administer first aid using improvised materials.
They also offered him coffee and breakfast while advising him to ensure his safety while on the road.
"Di pwede pabayaan ang naaksidente, at least makatulong dapat sa maliit na paraan. Di naman tayo nagwewelga na nakakasira sa daan. Ginagawa natin ito para sa hanapbuhay natin o ng magulang natin kaya laging bukas kami tumulong (The accident victim shouldn't be ignored, at the very least, we should help in whatever small way we can. We're not protesting in a way that disrupts the roads. We do this for our livelihoods or for our parents, which is why we're always willing to lend a hand),” Kim said.
The motorist is a night shift worker of a convenience store, and he admitted that he felt drowsy while riding the bike.
The rider is currently under the care of the Red Cross for treatment.
Meanwhile, Quezon City Police District (QCPD) director Brig. Gen. Redrico Maranan talked with Piston President Mody Floranda during the protest rally in front of LTFRB Compound in Quezon City.
He urged them not to block traffic and to cooperate for the orderly conduct of their activities. No incidents were reported during the event.
“Kami ay nakikiusap sa mga kasapi sa rally na sana gawin nilang mapayapa ang kanilang aktibidad upang mapanatili ang katahimikan at kaayusan hanggang sa ito ay matapos (We are appealing to the rally participants to please conduct their activities peacefully to maintain peace and order),” he said.
According to QCPD, around 600 individuals from various groups including Sanlakas, Oriang, K4K QC, Piston, UP Transport Group, LFS UP Diliman, GUAFTIODAI, Tambisan ng Sining, Nara Youth, Saligan sa CSSP Alma QC, and No to PUV Phaseout Coalition participated in the protest rally.
The group expressed their views regarding the government's PUV modernization program.
Their demands, issues, and concerns included postponing and reviewing the Jeepney Modernization program, advocating for an inclusive transition, opposing the PUV modernization while pushing for a worker-led transition, addressing the reliance on fossil fuels in the PUV Modernization, advocating for labor justice alongside climate justice, promoting industrialization over importation, and rejecting the Dec. 31 franchise consolidation deadline.