Manibela plans three-day transport strike in Manila

Manibela, a transport group in the Philippines, has announced a three-day strike from March 24 to March 26. They are protesting against what they call the "lies" of the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) regarding the government's Public Transport Modernization Program (PTMP). In a press briefing in Quezon City, Manibela's president, Mar Valbuena, criticized LTFRB Chair Teofilo Guadiz III. He claimed that Guadiz's statement about 86 percent of passenger vehicles consolidating into cooperatives is misleading. Valbuena stated that many of these applications have not yet been approved, which he described as a "complete lie." Valbuena expressed concern that these false claims are harming drivers, operators, and commuters. He said that those who refused to consolidate were treated unfairly and likened to criminals. The Department of Transportation (DOTr) responded to the strike announcement. They acknowledged Manibela's right to express their concerns and mentioned that Transportation Secretary Vince Dizon has instructed officials to engage in dialogue with the group as soon as possible.