THE Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) has lifted the Unified Vehicular Volume Reduction Program (UVVRP) implementation or the expanded number coding scheme for tomorrow, March 6.

“The UVVRP suspension is for Monday only. We will assess if there is a need to suspend the number coding scheme on the succeeding days, depending on the gravity of the transport strike,” MMDA General Manager Usec. Procopio Lipana said.

Makati City, which has its own traffic code, has also announced the lifting of number coding tomorrow, Monday.

Transport strike

Transport groups, including Manibela and Piston, have announced that jeepneys and UV drivers will stop taking commuters as a form of protest to the government’s program to phaseout jeepneys.

A little over 100,000 vehicles are reportedly expected to join the nationwide strike.

President Marcos Jr. had assured transport groups that the government would look into the plan and tweak areas as needed. The Land Transportation and Franchising Regulatory Board also extended the deadline for traditional jeepneys to consolidate their franchises under a cooperative until the end of 2023. 

Libreng sakay

The government has laid out its contingency plan to help commuters find a ride amid the transport strike beginning Monday. 

The local government units will dispatch around 1,200 vehicles in the National Capital Region to help ferry stranded commuters.

MMDA Acting Chairman Atty. Don Artes said the agency would deploy 25 ‘Libreng Sakay’ vehicles during the transport strike – including four air-conditioned buses, two non-air-conditioned buses, and 13 commuter vans – which can carry around 1,200 passengers per trip. 

Also, the MMDA will deploy more than 2,000 personnel to monitor situations on the ground. They are tasked to give immediate feedback and reports on areas with stranded commuters.

Presidential Communications Secretary Cheloy Garafil said PNP, AFP and DOTR will likewise mobilize around 80 vehicles.

The LTFRB has also issued Board Resolution No. 06 series of 2023 directing all their regional offices to issue special permits to vehicles in case there is a need for more PUVs during the week. 

LGU Libreng Sakay

Quezon City government announced they would provide free bus rides on eight routes: Quezon City Hall, Cubao, Litex/ IBP Road, Welcome Rotunda, Aurora, General Luis and Mindanao Ave., Gilmore, Ortigas Ave. ext. And Muñoz.

The schedule is posted on the Quezon City Facebook Page.

1st District Representative Arjo Atayde also said he would make his 37 vehicles available to the riding public to aid in transporting commuters in his district. 

Manila Mayor Maria Sheilah “Honey” Lacuna-Pangan announced the city government will provide ten buses, 17 pickups, three trucks, two transporters and one command unit to stranded passengers starting at 5 am Monday. 

The routes are posted on the Manila Public Information Office Facebook page. E-trikes will be available for free transportation along secondary roads in the City.

Pasig City also offered free rides to five routes from 5 am to 9 pm. The routes include Pasig Mega Market, Shaw Boulevard, Ligaya, Kalawaan, Dr. Sixto Antonio Ave., Rosario, Raymundo Ave.

Parañaque City Mayor Eric Olivarez said around 60 vehicles will offer free rides to commuters during the week, too.

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Inter-agency meeting

Malacañang, the Department of Transportation, the Philippine National Police, the MMDA, and other agencies held an emergency meeting Sunday at the MMDA headquarters in Makati City to finalize the emergency plans, prepositioning assets, and transport routes that will be affected by the strike.

Present during the inter-agency meeting was Senior Deputy Executive Secretary Hubert Guevarra, PNP-NCRPO Operations Officer PCol—Roman Arugay, as well as representatives from concerned government agencies.