Transport group stands firm on strike in Manila

INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines –The Federation of Jeepney Operators and Drivers Association of the Philippines (Fejodap) held a transport strike in Manila on Monday to protest the alleged “unreasonable apprehensions”  by traffic enforcers in the city.

Fejodap president Zenaida Maranan said some 3,000 to 4,000 passenger jeepneys were  involved in the strike that started around 4 a.m.

Among the affected areas are those coming from Navotas, Malabon, Caloocan, Velasquez, Moriones, Quiapo, Morayta, Blumentritt, Sampaloc, as well as those going to Baclaran, Espana, Pandacan, Paco, Nagtahan, Agoncillo, Pedro Gil, San Andres, Leon Guinto, and Singalong.

Maranan said the strike will continue until evening   after the group felt that nothing was resolved even after  they sat down with Manila Vice Mayor Isko Moreno.

“Wala, ang sabi lang niya ay gumawa kami ng sulat at ipadala sakanyang opisina . . .  [pero] paano ako maniniwala na aaksyunan niya agad samantalang itong oras na ito na nandito kami . . . ay hindi naman nya kami tinrato na talagang tao. Parang bang lahat ng sisi saamin,” Maranan told INQUIRER.net.

(Nothing [was resolved]. He just told us to make a letter about our concerns, and forward it to his office . . . but how can I believe that he will immediately act on this if he isn’t treating us right at this very moment. It seems that all blame is on us.)

Maranan said among their concerns were the seemingly unreasonable apprehensions being made by traffic enforcers in the city.

“Walang ginawa kundi manghuli—may kasalanan at walang kasalanan (They did nothing but apprehend our drivers—even those that didn’t really have violations),” she added. Jamie Elona, Inquirer.net