What you need to know about the transport strike on Jan. 16
Transport group Manibela will hold a nationwide strike on Tuesday, Jan. 16, in protest of the implementation of the public utility vehicle modernization program.
Manibela President Mar Valbuena said about 10,000 to 15,000 jeepney drivers and operators will join the strike.
Along with commuters and other supporters, they will come together at the University of the Philippines Diliman and go to Mendiola later on.
Under the program, jeepneys, buses, and other public utility vehicles that are at least 15 years old must be replaced with electronic jeepneys or e-jeepneys—in hopes of making the public transportation system more comfortable and environment-friendly.
Through a memo, the Land Transport Franchising Regulatory Board ordered drivers and operators to consolidate until Dec. 31 to be able to secure loans for the new jeepneys. Those who failed to consolidate would only be allowed to operate until Jan. 31.
Abour 30,000 jeepneys haven’t consolidated, according to Manibela.
Though the government offered to give P200,000 per jeepney that will be phased out, drivers and operators still aren't pleased, especially with a daily income of about P700. There’s also a constant fear of being unable to pay off their loans.
Commuters are also worried that the modernized vehicles would mean higher fares.