Bayan: Malacañang dialogue proves success of transport strike

Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, March 8) — The group Bayan claimed Wednesday the success of the strike against PUV modernization following the meeting of transport groups in Malacañang, stressing it showed the protest's "strong impact" on public transport.

"Lifted temporarily ang strike dahil hinarap sila ng Malacañang. This is the first time sa pagkakaalam ko na nagkaroon ng Malacañang dialogue habang ongoing ang strike. For the longest time, ngayon pa lang," Bayan Secretary General Renato Reyes Jr. said during a briefing.

[Translation: The strike was lifted temporarily because Malacañang met with transport groups. This is the first time as far as I know that a Malacañang dialogue was held while the strike was ongoing. For the longest time, it was just now.]

READ: Transport groups end nationwide strike after dialogue with Palace

Reyes also said the strike's impact was felt not only in Metro Manila but in other regions as well.

Transport group Piston said the strike paralyzed 80% of jeepney routes in Metro Manila alone.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said Wednesday the transport groups "made their point very clearly" on the issues about PUV modernization.

Marcos reiterated the need to revisit and review the Department Order 2017-011 or the Omnibus Franchising Guidelines until the end of 2023.

"Kailangan natin tignan nang mabuti na hindi tayo nagbibigay ng dagdag na pahirap para sa ating mga transport workers," the president said.

[Translation: We need to carefully study it so as to not put an additional burden on our transport workers.]

RELATED: Marcos urges PUV drivers to cancel strike, pushes for improved modernization program

Piston president Mody Floranda shared during the briefing that the Palace vowed to engage the public transport, including drivers, operators, and commuters, in reviewing the franchising guidelines.

Floranda also called on Marcos to issue an executive order suspending the Department Order 2017-011.

Meanwhile, Reyes also said the transport strike was a "political victory" as it sparked public discussions on the crisis facing the mass transportation sector.

"Wake-up call ito sa kanila (lawmakers). 'Wag cha-cha (charter change) ang unahin niyo. Unahin niyo ang problema ng transport sector at commuters natin," he said.

[Translation: This is a wake-up call for them (lawmakers). Don't focus on cha-cha. Focus on the problems of the transport sector and commuters.]