Various local government units and school have declared class suspensions for Monday (October 16) due to a transport strike.
The class suspensions came after the transport group Manibela announced a transport strike with the aim of preventing the implementation of the jeepney modernization program.
#WalangPasok: Schools & LGUs Suspend Face-to-Face Classes on Monday (October 16, 2023)
Schools & LGUs Suspend Face-to-Face Classes Due to Transport Strike
WALANG PASOK – Several schools and local government units have suspended face-to-face classes on Monday (October 16, 2023).
As a nationwide transport strike to protest the government’s jeepney modernization program, some local governments and school administrations in and around Metro Manila have taken precautionary measures to ensure the safety and convenience of the public.
The transport group Manibela will initiate the strike with the aim of preventing the implementation of the jeepney modernization program and securing the extension of the validity of traditional jeepney franchises.
Pampanga has issued an executive order suspending face-to-face classes in the whole province from October 16 to 17, 2023 in preparation for the transport strike. Pampanga Governor Dennis Pineda emphasized that during this period, classes should continue through online or modular learning.
De La Salle University (DLSU) in Manila has declared class suspensions on Monday, October 16, as a proactive measure due to a transport strike. DLSU announced that all classes and work activities would shift online.
The jeepney modernization program aims to phase out the traditional jeepneys and replace them with modern minibusses, which may affect hundreds of thousands of drivers nationwide.
The program aims to improve safety, reduce emissions, and enhance the overall commuting experience. The critics of the program reiterate the financial burden it places on small operators, as the modern minibusses come with a higher price value.
The cost of upgrading to these modern vehicles may be prohibitively expensive for many jeepney drivers and operators. Opponents further claim that the program appears to favor transportation cooperatives and corporations over independent small companies.
In a previous report, Bongbong Marcos reacts to end of transport strike
The impending transport strike represents the dissatisfaction and concern of jeepney drivers and operators who fear their livelihoods are at stake.