UCAJODA-MANIBELA leads Malolos Jeepney Strike

 UCAJODA-MANIBELA leads Malolos Jeepney Strike

By: Chello Gonzales

Jeepney Drivers protest in front of Mini Forest at City of Malolos, Bulacan on November 22, 2023. Photo taken by Sophia Arellano

"Ang panawagan lang naman namin ay maawa naman sila kasi iyon na lang ang hanapbuhay namin, pinagkukunan namin." 

Roben, PUV driver for 12 years and member of UCAJODA-MANIBELA said in line with their plea to their co-drivers to cooperate in the strike hoping that their co-drivers will understand that they need to fight as one.

On November 22, today, passed 9 in the morning, the first day of the jeepney transit strike in Malolos City marks the protest led by the United Calumpit Jeepney Operators and Drivers Association (UCAJODA)- MANIBELA and STAND BULSU, in line with the December 31 deadline for the PUV Consolidation Program and Jeepney Phaseout. 

The Board of Directors of UCAJODA-MANIBELA along with the jeepney drivers joining the strike asked their co-drivers who are working and passing through to stop and join the rally.

UCAJODA—MANIBELA Acting Chairman Romy “Pakino” Santiago also participated in the protest, stating that they hope the commuters will understand the root of their jeepney strike.

"Sana maunawaan din ng riding public na para sa kanila rin ito. Kailangan namin ang tulong niyo,” Pakino said.

Meanwhile, at around 11:40 am, officers from Malolos City visited the protestors; they had a conversation about the purpose of the protest.

Stand BulSU joins the protest of jeepney drivers for PUV Consolidation program and Jeepney Phaseout on November 22, 2023. Photo taken by Mizaki Vasquez

At 1:00 PM, after making their placards, STAND BulSU who joined the UCAJODA-MANIBELA in the morning made way for a short protest-program.

"Lahat tayo ay apektado ng huwad na modernisasyong ito,” Secretary General of STAND BULSU, Sheila Antaran said, encouraging everyone at the place to join the mass protest in support to PUV drivers.

Both UCAJODA-MANIBELA and STAND BulSU went to call out and rattle about the PUV Consolidation Program and Jeepney Phaseout.

Before conducting the strike, UCAJODA-MANIBELA Acting Chairman Santiago contacted officials, police, schools, and traffic management to advise about the three-day strike, requesting cooperation and suspension of classes.

Due to the transport strike, Mayor Christian Natividad suspended face-to-face classes from November 22 (Wednesday) to November 24 (Friday) in the City of Malolos, suggesting that schools could do asynchronous or modular classes.

It is expected tomorrow they will have more supporters to push a full-force protest.