MANILA, Philippines — Transport advocacy group MANIBELA on Friday warned that a wider transport strike could follow if the government fails to fulfill its promises to drivers and operators.
The group’s membership now totals about 180,000 across the jeepney, UV Express, TNVS, taxi, and motorcycle and delivery rider sectors, according to Chairman Mar Valbuena.
Valbuena told The Manila Times in an exclusive text message that MANIBELA did not join the transport strike on Thursday and Friday because it is still waiting for the government to act on its commitments.
“We will only stage a strike if nothing really comes out of what the government has been promising,” he said.
He said a future protest could involve not only jeepney drivers but also the group’s TNVS and UV Express members.
“Yes, they will all join together, including the TNVS and UV Express members who are part of our group,” he said.
PISTON and allied groups staged a transport strike on Thursday and Friday over rising fuel prices and the suspension of the planned fare hike.