Drivers march to Mendiola to protest Marcos’ PUV modernization rule
FILE PHOTO: Jeepney drivers tie a “NO to PUV Phaseout” poster on one of several jeepneys during one of the transport protests led by Manibela in January 2024 in Diliman, Quezon City. LYN RILLON/PHILIPPINE DAILY INQUIRER
MANILA, Philippines — Jeepney drivers and operators marched to Mendiola on Wednesday to protest President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s decision to reject calls to suspend the Public Transport Modernization Program (PTMP).
Members of transport group Manibela kicked off their demonstration at Welcome Rotonda in Quezon City and marched towards the Mendiola Peace Arch in Manila to conclude their three-day strike.
The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) said five of its vehicles are on standby to provide free rides. The vehicles, however, have yet to be deployed as of this writing, and as the MMDA noted, there were still many PUVs on the road.
“No stranded commuters are monitored at this time,” an MMDA spokesperson told reporters in a Viber message.
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The MMDA said the protest march caused heavy traffic, with its tail end at Fishermall in Quezon City. The traffic jam spanned an estimated four to five kilometers, according to the MMDA.
Manibela started their strike on Monday, Aug. 12, leading to many passengers in Metro Manila being stranded.
Marcos rejected the call of senators to suspend the PTMP.
Marcos noted that 80 percent of jeepney franchises have already been consolidated.
