Marcos 'sympathetic' to transport groups; gov't open to talks — Romualdez
House Speaker Martin Romualdez on Monday, March 6, said that his cousin, President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., was “sympathetic” to the plight of transport groups and jeepney drivers as they staged a protest against the government’s plan to modernize the traditional jeepneys.

The Speaker maintained that the government is open to talk with the transport groups, so they can air their grievances against the modernization program.
“President Marcos has shown that he is sympathetic to the issues raised by certain transport groups over the jeepney modernization program,” he said in a statement.
“I appeal to those concerned to engage the government in a sincere dialogue to resolve this issue,” the lawmaker added.
His statement came amid the week-long transport strike involving some 100,000 jeepney drivers and operators across the country.
The House of Representatives and Malacañang deployed 100 buses to provide free rides to stranded commuters.
Public commuters are expected to bear the brunt of the strike as longer lines and waiting time are expected this week for them.
Under the jeepney modernization program, traditional jeepneys would be phased out by year’s end, and operators of consolidated entities would be required to purchase modern vehicles that cost between P2.4 million and P2.8 million each.