MANIBELA will hold a nationwide transport strike from Wednesday to Friday to protest the public utility vehicle modernization plan of the government.

At a press conference on Tuesday, Manibela chairman Mar Valbuena said thousands of members are expected to join the strike.

Another transport group PISTON also held a three-day strike that began on Monday in connection with the December 31 deadline for jeepney operators to consolidate under the program.

Valbuena warned of more protests if the deadline is not extended.

“Kung hindi mai-extend, January 1 colorum na kami, siguradong mas malawak, mas matinding transport strike ang sasalubong sa bagong taon. Sinisigurado ko po iyan,” Valbuena said.

Public transportation, especially in Metro Manila, was not severely disrupted by PISTON’s transport strike, according to the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board on Monday.

To ensure commuter mobility, several local governments also offered free rides to travelers.