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December 4, 2025 | 2:27pm
This photo shows traditional jeepneys.
MANILA, Philippines — Transport group Manibela will hold a three-day transport strike in protest against excessive fines and alleged extortion committed against jeepney drivers.
The transport strike will be held by the transport group starting December 9.
“Nationwide po itong ikakasa naming transport strike. Hindi lamang po dito sa NCR (National Capital Region), sa mga kalapit rin po na mga probinsya sa Luzon, Visayas at Mindanao na nakikiisa sa aming panawagan,” Manibela chairman Mar Valbuena said in a press conference on Thursday, December 4.
(This transport strike that we are organizing will be nationwide. Not only here in the NCR, but also in the neighboring provinces in Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao that are uniting with our call.)
In a separate statement, the group said that they are protesting the series of alleged abuses and operational failures by the Land Transportation Office (LTO), saying that it pushes small drivers into poverty and jeopardizes the livelihood of their families.
The group pointed out fines often allegedly reach more than P12,000, accompanied by driver’s license suspensions and demerit points.
Manibela also alleged a worsening "payola system" and bribery among LTO enforcers.
The group also raised the delay in the release of vehicle registrations, despite operators and drivers having already paid the corresponding fees.
“Marami ang hindi nakapag-renew, natabunan ang proseso, at hanggang ngayon ay walang ibinibigay na rehistro, malinaw na anyo ng panlilinlang at kapabayaan na nakaaapekto hindi lamang sa mga driver at operator, kundi pati sa mga mananakay na walang masakyan kapag nagkakaproblema ang operasyon,” the group said.
(Many were unable to renew, the process was buried, and until now, no registration has been issued—a clear form of deception and negligence that affects not only the drivers and operators, but also the commuters who lose transportation options when operations run into trouble.)
According to Valbuena, the transport strike will be extended if the problems persist.
“Hangga’t pinapahirapan po kami, magtutuloy-tuloy ito,” Valbuena said.
(As long as they continue to make it difficult for us, this will continue.)
