There has been an ongoing transport strike today, October 16, 2023 by the transport association, Malayang Alyansa ng Bus Employees at Laborers (MANIBELA) and several local government units (LGUs) and educational institutions have announced that there will be no classes.

Several institutions have returned to online learning for the time being.

MANIBELA is holding a strike across the nation for the alleged corruption of the country’s transportation sector and calls to defer and review the Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program. Several jeepney drivers and operators have already expressed their concerns about the modernization and how this can negatively affect their livelihood.

The chair of the transport group has announced that approximately two hundred forty thousand drivers are expected to join the jeepney strike.

The transport strike is expected to affect face-to-face classes until October 17 with institutions adapting to online learning for the days of the strike.

Due to today’s transport strike, the following LGUs have announced no classes in all grade levels in both public and private institutions:

• Pampanga
• Sta. Rosa
• Lingayen, Pangasinan
• Angeles City
• Cabuyao City
• Marikina City
• Caloocan City
• Pasay City

LGUs that have only suspended classes with certain specifications:

• Dagupan, Pangasinan (elementary to high school in public educational institutions only)
• Binmaley, Pangasinan (preschool to senior high school for both public and private educational institutions)

The following universities have also suspended face-to-face classes and have shifted to online classes:

• Adamson University
• De La Salle University Manila
• National University Manila and Nazareth School
• San Beda University and Rizal Integrated Basic Education Department campuses
• University of the East Manila and Caloocan
• University of Santo Tomas
• Lyceum of the Philippines University Manila
• Polytechnic University Manila and Makati
• Mapua University Manila
• National Teachers College

Numerous jeepney drivers have supported the October 16 strike. Jeepney drivers and their representing organizations are fighting for the Philippine government to re-evaluate the Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program with MANIBELA president stating, “If they don’t listen to us, we will continue. If we only resorted to a transport strike last time, this time we’ll go straight to Malacañang with our units and we’ll voice our grievances there,” in a radio dzBB interview.

Sources: (1), (2), (3), (4)

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