ALTHOUGH long lines of commuters were observed in some areas of the metropolis, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority yesterday said the transport strike held by the Pinagkaisang Samahan ng mga Tsuper at Operators Nationwide (PISTON) failed to paralyze public transport.
The PNP said the first day of the two-day transport strike was relatively peaceful.
“So far, the ongoing transportation strike is relatively peaceful. So far, its effect is minimal,” PNP spokeswoman Col. Jean Fajardo told a press briefing at Camp Crame.
MMDA Chairperson Romando Artes said as of 5 p.m. yesterday, the agency has only deployed 56 vehicles out of the over 600 prepared by the agency and the 17 local government units to ferry any stranded commuters in Metro Manila.
The 56 vehicles, he said, ferried 1, 318 passengers to Divisoria, Cubao, Pasig and Manila.
Artes said the agency’s Communications and Command Center headed by MMDA General Manager Procopio Lipana and Traffic Discipline Office for Enforcement Director Victor Nunez did not monitor any major disturbance or untoward incidents.
Last Wednesday, Artes said they expect “minimal impact” on public transportation in the metropolis during the two-day transport strike which ends today, Friday.
To underscore how the agency is prepared for such mass actions, the implementation of the Unified Vehicular Volume Reduction Program (UVVRP) or the “number coding” scheme” was not suspended.
The transport strike and a similar one staged last month also by PISTON and the Malayang Alyansa ng Bus Employees at Laborers (Manibela) is meant to protest the impending phaseout of traditional jeepneys on December 31 under the government’s public utility vehicle modernization program.
Fajardo said government agencies, including the PNP, deployed vehicles to provide free rides to commuters.
Fajardo said the PNP deployed 442 vehicles, mostly in the metropolis. She added police vehicles were also deployed in Calabarzon and Western Visayas.
She admitted there were some areas where public transport vehicles were scarce.
Fajardo said the effect of the transport strike was less severe than the previous transport strike last month.
Citing initial reports received by the PNP, Fajardo said there were only around 600 to 800 individuals who joined the transport strike in different areas in NCR as of 11 a.m.
She said there were 12 areas in NCR where they monitored the gathering of protesters while there were three in Calabarzon and one in Western Visayas.
Fajardo said the PNP has deployed some 18,564 policemen to ensure peace and order.
“The security coverage will continue until tomorrow. (They are deployed) not only to assist motorists but also to provide security to areas where there are rallies,” said Fajardo.
He said policemen are also ensuring the protection of drivers are joining the transport strike. — With Victor Reyes
