President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has directed the Department of Transportation (DOTr) to review and promptly address concerns raised by the transport group, which claims issues affecting the livelihoods of its members and their families.

In a press briefing on Friday, Presidential Communications Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said the administration is open to dialogue to resolve the matter.

Malayang Alyansa ng Bus Employees at Laborers para sa Karapatan sa Paggawa (MANIBELA) had earlier announced plans for a three-day transport strike starting 9 December, protesting delays in government document processing and allegedly high penalties imposed on its members.

“Ipinag-utos naman po sa pamunuan ng DOTr, tingnan mabuti kung ano ang hinaing ng grupo ng MANIBELA. So, kailangan rin ito maresolba kung mayroon naman talagang batayan ang kanilang reklamo, dapat itong masolusyonan agad (The DOTr leadership has been instructed to carefully look into the concerns of the MANIBELA group. If their complaints have a valid basis, they should be addressed and resolved immediately),” Castro said.

Castro urged the group to cooperate for the sake of commuters, especially during the busy Christmas season.

“Tayo na rin ang mananagawan sa grupo ng MANIBELA. Alam naman natin na Christmas season, baka naman puwedeng ipamasko niyo na at mapag-usapan naman ‘yung mga hinaing nila. Pag-usapan po para maresolba agad (We should also take the initiative with the MANIBELA group. Since it’s the Christmas season, perhaps you can treat this as a goodwill gesture and discuss their concerns. Talk about it so it can be resolved quickly),” she added.

Castro said the DOTr has been tasked to engage with the transport group and resolve valid concerns to prevent disruption of public transport services.