Piston and Manibela groups announced in a press conference yesterday, April 11, that jeepney drivers and operators are preparing for a series of strikes in the coming days and weeks. The “deadline” of forced franchise consolidation and phaseout of traditional jeepneys is set on April 30.

On April 15, the two groups will hold a transport strike involving 25,000 to 30,000 vehicles. At the same time, they will launch a caravan to Mendiola. Similar activities will be held in Southern Tagalog, Central Luzon, Ilocos Region and some provinces of Mindanao. They are calling on other drivers to unite and participate in actions until the end of April.

“We win as long as we fight,” declared the Piston. “For seven years, the state has been threatening us with no more extension and forcing us to enter modernization, and confiscating our franchise. For seven years, we have been able to defend our sector.”

On Tuesday, Ferdinand Marcos announced that there will be “no more extension” of the jeepney phaseout because it is “necessary” despite not giving a reason.

Drivers and operators have repeatedly pushed back the state’s “deadline” by launching large-scale actions and transport stoppages. They are confident that they will once again thwart the Marcos regime’s new deadline if the drivers, commuters and other democratic sectors unite.

SUKI Network and Bayan Muna expressed full support for the series of protests being prepared by Piston and Manibela.