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Josiah Antonio - The Philippine Star
April 16, 2026 | 12:00am
In a statement, UNPTP secretary-general Cherriegal Maglasang said the transportation crisis should be elevated through “dialogue, action and unity, not noise and conflict.”
Ryan Baldemor
MANILA, Philippines — Transport groups seemed divided as Manibela launched another series of strikes amid fuel price increases, while the United National Public Transport of the Philippines (UNPTP) said it would not be joining the protests.
In a statement, UNPTP secretary-general Cherriegal Maglasang said the transportation crisis should be elevated through “dialogue, action and unity, not noise and conflict.”
“We will not gamble the future of the sector with personal interests. Our fight is for the livelihood, order and future of the country,” she said.
Manibela chairman Mar Valbuena expressed his disappointment, saying that they hold strikes for the benefit of drivers and operators.
For his part, Piston national president Mody Floranda said they will continue to launch protests in any form.
While some of their members from corporations and cooperatives were not present, many drivers and operators of Manibela led protests in several action centers in the country.
Amid the divide, Valbuena is optimistic that they have strength in numbers as they expect 500,000 people to join the protests across the country.
“We are uniting, even if others have sold their principles,” he said.
Valbuena stressed that the recent programs of the national government such as the cash aid, service contracting program and P10 per liter discount are not accessible to everyone.
Floranda, on the other hand, was disappointed with Energy Secretary Sharon Garin’s recent statement that fuel prices may not return to P60 per liter.
“You are an official but you have that kind of sentiment. It’s evident that you do not have any plans,” he said.
Valbuena said: “If they do not want rollback (for) the price of fuel, they should be the one to step down from their post.”
As the two transport groups kicked off their three-day strike yesterday, police units have beefed up security measures to protect public utility vehicle drivers and operators who continue to ply their routes.
Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. has ordered the deployment of police officers along major routes and transportation hubs so that non-striking drivers and operators can continue their livelihood without fear of harassment or disruption.
The PNP is coordinating with the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board, Metropolitan Manila Development Authority and local government units in monitoring affected routes and maintaining order in critical transport corridors.
While they respect the right of transport groups to protest, Nartatez said they will not hesitate to move in should protesters resort to violence. – Emmanuel Tupas
