Transport group Manibela on Thursday announced it has ended its planned three-day transport strike on its second day following discussions with officials of the Department of Transportation (DOTr) and its attached agencies.
The group said it halted its strike on December 10 after receiving assurances from the DOTr, Land Transportation Office (LTO), and Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) that key issues raised by jeepney drivers would be addressed.
Among the commitments made by officials were the release of impounded jeepneys, license plates, and drivers’ licenses of affected operators.
Agencies also pledged to issue a memorandum circular extending the validity of Provisional Authority and allowing continued vehicle registration at the LTO.
Officials further promised to investigate and hold accountable personnel in the LTO and LTFRB allegedly involved in accepting payola and selling Provisional Authority to TNVS applicants.
Manibela said the dialogues prompted not only the early end of the strike but also the cancellation of a planned protest at the DOTr.
In a statement, the group declared the strike a success, saying it drew government attention and resulted in concrete commitments from transport authorities.
Manibela thanked participating drivers and operators for sacrificing their time and income to push for action on long-standing issues.
The group launched the strike on December 9 in protest of alleged abuses against jeepney drivers, including what it described as an unjust demerit point system, franchise renewal delays, and a pervasive payola culture in transport agencies.