MMDA: coding will not be lifted during strike

Meanwhile, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority said that they will not lift the number coding on Monday, April 15.

“Hindi sususpindehin ang number coding scheme bukas, araw ng Lunes, sa gitna ng tigil pasada na ikakasa ng dalawang transport group na Manibela at Piston,” MMDA said.

“Ibig sabihin, tuloy ang pagpapatupad ng number coding scheme mula 7am-10am at 5pm-8pm at bawal bumiyahe sa nasabing mga oras ang mga may plakang nagtatapos sa 1 at 2 na sakop ng coding tuwing Lunes,” it added.

The Magnificent 7 on the other hand, which comprises seven transport groups, said that they will not join the two-day strike.

“Nakahanda naman ang MMDA, kasama ang iba pang ahensya ng gobyerno at mga lokal na pamahalaan sa NCR, para magbigay ng libreng sakay sa mga maapektuhang pasahero sakaling kailanganin,” the MMDA said. 

Earlier, the Samahang Manibela Mananakay at Nagkaisang Terminal ng Transportasyon or MANIBELA and Pagkakaisa ng mga Samahan ng Tsuper at Opereytor Nationwide (PISTON) announced a two-day transport strike starting Monday, amid the looming deadline for consolidation of public utility vehicle (PUV) drivers and operators. 

MANIBELA president Mar Valbuena vowed that the 30,000 jeepney drivers will join in their protest in the National Capital Region and at least 100,000 others to join nationwide. 

They are opposed to the PUV consolidation of individual franchises into cooperatives or corporations, which is called for under the government’s PUV modernization program. 

Just last week, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. insisted that there will no longer be any extension of the April 30 deadline for consolidation.