Marcos tells DOTr: Act on Manibela complaints amid threat of 3-day transport strike
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President Marcos has directed the Department of Transportation (DOTr) to immediately look into the grievances raised by transport group Manibela, as it prepares for a protest action next week, Malacañang said.
Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Undersecretary Claire Castro said this after Manibela announced that it will stage a three-day transport strike starting Tuesday next week, Dec. 9, over alleged abuses at the Land Transportation Office (LTO) and delays in the release of jeepney registration papers.
The groups also said it may extend its protest for more than three days, raising fears of major commuter disruption at the height of the holiday season.
In a press briefing on Friday, Dec. 5, Castro said Marcos has instructed DOTr officials to verify the complaints and resolve any confirmed lapses without delay.
“Ipinag-utos naman po sa pamunuan ng DOTr, tingnan pong mabuti kung ano ang hinaing ng grupo ng Manibela (The President ordered the DOTr leadership to carefully examine the concerns raised by Manibela),” she said.
“Kung mayroon naman po talagang batayan ang kanilang reklamo, dapat po itong masolusyunan kaagad (If their complaints have basis, they must be addressed immediately),” she added.
While talks between the government and the transport group are yet to be held, Castro urged Manibela to consider the impact of its protest on millions of commuters navigating the already congested holiday period.
“Tayo na rin po ang mananawagan sa grupo ng Manibela… baka naman po puwedeng Pamasko na ninyo (We appeal to Manibela… perhaps this can be your Christmas gift),” she said, adding that discussions remain the best avenue to resolve issues.
“Alam naman po natin, Christmas season… pag-usapan po para maresolba agad (We all know it’s Christmas season… these concerns should be discussed so they can be resolved quickly),” she added.
She noted that any prolonged transport stoppage would disproportionately harm ordinary passengers, who rely heavily on public utility vehicles during December’s peak travel weeks.