THE transport group MANIBELA announced that they will be having a protest caravan on Tuesday, January 16.
According to the group, it will start at the University of the Philippines–Diliman. They will then head to Mendiola at 9 a.m.
They will end their protest caravan at the Supreme Court, where they are expected to launch a short program.
The group said that their goal is to persuade President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to reinstate the revoked franchises of drivers and operators who were unable to consolidate.
“Protest po ito ma’am, kasama po ang MANIBELA at PISTON upang ipanawagan sa ating Pangulo na itong mga deadline na ito ay itigil at ibalik yung ating validity na five years po na prangkisa na nagpapahirap po sa atin ngayon na kaliwat kanang hulihan,” said MANIBELA Chairman Mar Valbuena said.
They said that some 15,000 participants would enjoin in the rally.
But they quickly clarified what they will be conducting is not a transport strike but a protest.
“Transport protest po sa January 16 at hindi po transport strike ang ating gagawin. MANIBELA at PISTON kasama ang ibat-ibang sector,” Manibela said.
Some 1,500 individuals and about 300 public utility vehicles gathered during the December 28 transport rally.
The Office of Transportation Cooperatives reminded cooperatives that they cannot enforce or mandate a specific brand of modern jeepney for their members.
“I-report sa amin because hindi maganda po iyon at bawal po ‘yon. Walang mag-iimpluwensya, walang makikialam walang magpe-pressure sa pagbili kung anong brand, karapatan ‘yan nila,” said Office of Transportation Cooperatives Chairman Andry Ortega.
