Manibela, PISTON protest vs PTMP fails to reach Mendiola, causes massive traffic | ABS-CBN
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Manibela, PISTON protest vs PTMP fails to reach Mendiola, causes massive traffic
MANILA — Transport groups Manibela and PISTON failed to reach Mendiola in Manila on its first day of a scheduled 3-day transport strike against the consolidation under the public transport modernization program (PTMP).
MANILA — Transport groups Manibela and PISTON failed to reach Mendiola in Manila on its first day of a scheduled 3-day transport strike against the consolidation under the public transport modernization program (PTMP).
Manibela Chairman Mar Valbuena and PISTON National President Mody Floranda led the group. They tried to march to Mendiola, Manila together with thousands of their member jeepney operators and drivers.
Manibela Chairman Mar Valbuena and PISTON National President Mody Floranda led the group. They tried to march to Mendiola, Manila together with thousands of their member jeepney operators and drivers.
From Quezon Avenue, the group were able to pass by Welcome Rotunda, the boundary of Quezon City and Manila LGU. However, anti-riot police blocked their way along España Blvd before Blumentritt Street.
From Quezon Avenue, the group were able to pass by Welcome Rotunda, the boundary of Quezon City and Manila LGU. However, anti-riot police blocked their way along España Blvd before Blumentritt Street.
Valbuena and Floranda tried to reason out with the police but they failed.
Valbuena and Floranda tried to reason out with the police but they failed.
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“Hindi na po ba parehas ang pagtingin ng estado sa mayayaman at mahihirap? Gusto lamang po naming malaman ang dahilan, sila nakapasok, kami hindi puwedeng pumasok sir,” Valbuena asked the police ground commander.
“Hindi na po ba parehas ang pagtingin ng estado sa mayayaman at mahihirap? Gusto lamang po naming malaman ang dahilan, sila nakapasok, kami hindi puwedeng pumasok sir,” Valbuena asked the police ground commander.
But Police Capt. Louie Serbito explained that they cannot allow the protesters, as they don’t have a rally permit from the Manila LGU.
But Police Capt. Louie Serbito explained that they cannot allow the protesters, as they don’t have a rally permit from the Manila LGU.
“Hindi po natin mapapayagan dahil masyadong masikip po sa loob, marami pong maabalang mga commuter po natin, magagalit po sila,” Serbito said.
“Hindi po natin mapapayagan dahil masyadong masikip po sa loob, marami pong maabalang mga commuter po natin, magagalit po sila,” Serbito said.
The protesters had no choice but to hold their program along España Blvd just right after Welcome Rotunda.
The protesters had no choice but to hold their program along España Blvd just right after Welcome Rotunda.
Jeepney drivers of Manibela and PISTON parked their units along Quezon Avenue and occupied four lanes of the road, causing heavy traffic in the westbound lane of Quezon Avenue.
Jeepney drivers of Manibela and PISTON parked their units along Quezon Avenue and occupied four lanes of the road, causing heavy traffic in the westbound lane of Quezon Avenue.
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According to the MMDA, the transport strike resulted in an estimated 4 to 5 kilometer traffic jam from Welcome Rotunda and adjacent roads.
According to the MMDA, the transport strike resulted in an estimated 4 to 5 kilometer traffic jam from Welcome Rotunda and adjacent roads.
Valbuena asked for understanding from affected motorists, saying they do not intend to paralyze the traffic but to urge the government to hear their plea.
Valbuena asked for understanding from affected motorists, saying they do not intend to paralyze the traffic but to urge the government to hear their plea.
“Kitang-kita natin ngayon, makapangyarihan ang jeepney. Sa opinyon ko, nakarating ito at umaalingawngaw ito sa Malacanang -ito po yung totoong majority na dapat ito ang pakinggan mo,” Valbuena told the media.
“Kitang-kita natin ngayon, makapangyarihan ang jeepney. Sa opinyon ko, nakarating ito at umaalingawngaw ito sa Malacanang -ito po yung totoong majority na dapat ito ang pakinggan mo,” Valbuena told the media.
“Kung ang layunin ng gobyerno ay para ayusin ang moda ng ating transportasyon, malinaw po ang posisyon ng ating mga kasama - dapat hindi ang inuna ng gobyerno ay ang patatanggal ng kabuhayan ng mga driver at operator - dapat ang inuna ng gobyerno ay pagtatayo ng sarili nating industriya para tayo mismo ang lumikha ng ating public transport,” PISTON’s Floranda added.
“Kung ang layunin ng gobyerno ay para ayusin ang moda ng ating transportasyon, malinaw po ang posisyon ng ating mga kasama - dapat hindi ang inuna ng gobyerno ay ang patatanggal ng kabuhayan ng mga driver at operator - dapat ang inuna ng gobyerno ay pagtatayo ng sarili nating industriya para tayo mismo ang lumikha ng ating public transport,” PISTON’s Floranda added.
The group ended their program around 3:00 p.m., but Valbuena said they will continue to stage similar transport protests in the coming days.
The group ended their program around 3:00 p.m., but Valbuena said they will continue to stage similar transport protests in the coming days.
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Valbuena said it will announce later tonight if the group will push through with its 3-day transport strike as originally planned.
Valbuena said it will announce later tonight if the group will push through with its 3-day transport strike as originally planned.
Meanwhile, Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista said there is a proper venue to air their side without compromising the welfare of commuters and other motorists.
Meanwhile, Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista said there is a proper venue to air their side without compromising the welfare of commuters and other motorists.
"Umani ng batikos mula sa mananakay ang kanilang pagkilos. Sa halip na harangan ang kalsada nananawagan kami na tulungan kami na mapaganda ang modernization program," he said.
"Umani ng batikos mula sa mananakay ang kanilang pagkilos. Sa halip na harangan ang kalsada nananawagan kami na tulungan kami na mapaganda ang modernization program," he said.
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