Metro Manila LGUs prepared vs 2-day transport strike

THE local chief executives in Metro Manila said that they are ready for the two-day strike of drivers and operators under the group Samahang Manibela Mananakay at Nagkaisang Terminal ng Transportasyon (Manibela).

According to the Metro Manila Council (MMC) they had mapped out contingency plans, including that of providing transportation to commuters who will be affected by nationwide transport strike which will start Monday, April 15. 

Courtesy: MMDA 

MMC President and San Juan Mayor Francis Zamora said each LGU has stand-by government vehicles.

“Handa naman kami, but also if I may share, kadalasan naman po hindi naman namin kinakailangang gamitin ang sasakyan. Just in case lang po na talagang magkaroon ito ng epekto sa transportasyon tsaka lang namin ginagamit,” he said. 

Zamora also said that he had coordinated with the National Capital Region Police  Office (NCRPO), so as to give additional police personnel to ensure safety of the drivers who will not join the transport strike. 

Courtesy: MMDA

“Tayo po ang nakipag-ugnayan rin sa NCRPO. In fact, I have coordinated with General [Jose] Nartatez to ensure the safety of everyone, sapagkat nagkakaroon minsan ng mga pangyayari kung saan merong mga hina-harass na mga hindi sumasama sa tigil-pasada,” he added. 

PISTON, who will also join the strike, expressed confidence that the transport strike will paralyze the transportation in Metro Manila.

“Kung sa member ng PISTON at MANIBELA ay 100 percent na lalahok, ito at maraming mga nagkooperatiba na at nag korporasyon na nagpa-abot sa atin na sila ay handang lumahok ngayong [Abril] 15. At hindi lang ito jeep — pati mga UV, multicab at nagpaabot na rin dito yung ilang mga motorcycle taxi na nabiktima rin ng programang ito,” PISTON President Mody Floranda said. 

Aside from Metro Manila, they claimed that transport groups in the regions will also join the strike.

Those who signified, according to Floranda, were from Bicol Region, Iloilo, Cebu, Davao, General Santos, Bacolod and Baguio City. 

Both PISTON and MANIBELA called on the government to junk the Public Utility Vehicle Modernization program.

The consolidation of public utility jeepney operators will end on April 30.