THE Department of Transportation and its attached agencies said the strike launched by transport group Manibela yesterday failed to paralyze public transportation in Metro Manila.
Atty. Ariel Inton, spokesperson of the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board, said during the Bagong Pilipinas Ngayon interview that based on the assessment of the LTFRB, Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA), and Transportation Secretary Vince Dizon, the strike had a minimal impact.
Inton attributed this to several factors, among them the DOTr’s preparations and coordination with various Local Government Units and the PNP.
Manibela is conducting a three-day strike from March 24 to 26 over concerns about inconsistent data related to public utility vehicles (PUVs) — including jeepneys, buses, and UV Express units — that have consolidated under the country’s public transport modernization program (PTMP).
The National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) said the first day of the three-day transport strike did not cause “significant disruptions” in public transportation.
“No stranded passengers were noted or recorded as confirmed by (the) LTFRB and the MMDA,” said NCRPO spokesperson Maj. Hazel Asilo.
MMDA chief Romando Artes said the agency did not monitor any major disruption in public transport in the metropolis.
The agency fielded buses and other vehicles on standby marked with “Libreng Sakay,” which assisted the public from 6 a.m. to 9 a.m. and from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. along major thoroughfares in the metropolis.
“Our monitoring efforts will continue, but so far, we haven’t observed any disruptions in such areas as Manila, Pasig Caloocan and Paranaque,” Artes said, adding these areas experienced transport disruption in previous strikes.
The agency also deployed the regular number of traffic enforcers – around 1,200 – overall in the metropolis.
The MMDA chief said the agency is also not considering the suspension of the Unified Vehicular Volume Reduction Program or “number coding” scheme for the duration of the transport strike.
Asilo said there were 11 rally sites in Metro Manila, with a crowd of 358 people yesterday. She said the rallies “peacefully terminated” at 2:37 p.m.
“Despite the transport strike and/or protest rally by Manibela, the traffic situation in the National Capital Region is expected to remain normal and manageable,” the NCRPO said in a statement.
“The commuting public has not experienced significant disruptions, thanks to the readiness of various government agencies and local government units,” the NCRPO added.
It said concerned agencies have “proactively deployed traffic management personnel and standby mobility assets to assist and rescue any stranded commuters or passengers.”
In a separate briefing, Dizon said the PTMP is in “status quo,” meaning PUVs that have joined the government’s consolidation program will move forward.
Dizon also said the DOTr will present a comprehensive plan for the PTMP in the next two weeks, adding he is open to a dialog with all the transport groups to address their concerns.
Inton also clarified the issue regarding the number of PUVs that have joined the PTMP, explaining that 86 percent refers to the number of applications, with 43 percent having been approved.
He added that PUVs with pending applications are currently operating under Provisional Authority (PA) and are also entitled to fuel subsidies. However, those who intend to join the PTMP are subject to the directives of the DOTr.
Dizon said the operation of the Metro Rail Transit Line 3 (MRT-3) has been extended by an hour on weekdays while additional trains have been deployed.
“Officially starting today, the MRT-3 hours have been extended. It started today, and it will continue. The LRT-1 will also add one train today so that during the transport strike, there will be an additional train,” Dizon said during a press conference with MMDA chief Romando Artes.
The DOTr said updated signages have been installed at all 13 stations to inform commuters about the new train operating schedules effective March 24.
For southbound passengers, the closing time at North Ave. is 10:25 p.m., with the last train departing at 10:30 p.m. For northbound passengers at Taft Ave., the closing time is 11:04 p.m., and the last train departs at 11:09 p.m.
Dizon also ordered the deployment of additional trains to service more passengers and eliminate long queues at key stations during peak hours in the morning and afternoon after an inspection of the MRT-3 last March 17.
The NCRPO said it remains committed to maintaining peace and order in the remaining days of the transport strike.
“This will be achieved through the effective implementation of enhanced security measures, civil disturbance management strategies, traffic management, direction and control, and other administrative and operational activities of the Philippine National Police,” the NCRPO said.
“In close coordination with the MMDA, LGUs (local government units), and other relevant government entities, the NCRPO aims to maintain order and safeguard public welfare throughout the duration of the event,” it added.
‘INNOCENT COMMUTERS’
Malacanang urged the Manibela transport group to consider the welfare of “innocent commuters” affected by the transport rallies and called for more dialogues to better discuss and understand the concerns of the drivers and operators of public vehicles (PUVs).
Communications Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Claire Castro, in a briefing, said Dizon had asked the transport sector to sit down and talk with him and his team instead of resorting to protest actions.
“The impact is not limited to the government but also the commuters. Let us remember that the commuters are innocent and they are in the middle of this…Do not drag the commuters into this,” Castro said.
Manibela head Mar Valbuena said the LTFRB lied when it claimed that 86 percent of PUVs have consolidated.
Castro said as of noon yesterday, the transport strike did not affect a lot of commuters as concerned government agencies implemented measures to cushion the impact of the strike, such as the deployment of more “Libreng Sakay” buses.
The Metro Rail Transit and Light Rail Transits 1 and 2 also deployed more trains to accommodate more passengers.
CHIZ STANDS PAT
Senate President Francis “Chiz” Escudero said his position against the full implementation of the Public Transport Modernization Program has not changed since several issues on the program have not been resolved.
“Until the PTMP is not yet perfected, especially on the issue of financing, the program should not be required for all,” Escudero said in a press conference.
He said the price of modern jeepneys is high but government subsidy is low. He added modern jeepneys cost more than P2 million while the government will only subsidize P200,000 to P400,000 per operator and driver.
He said the government can help operators and drivers secure loans from the Land Bank of the Philippines or the Development Bank of the Philippines, and give them affordable payment packages for them to able to pay their debts.
Based on studies, he said the PTMP needs funding of around P42 billion for it to be fully implemented, but Congress has allotted only around P14 billion.
He said another problem in the PTMP is the transport routes, which the LTFRB has not yet finalized. He said transport routes are needed so these will be the basis of how much fares will be.
Sen. Grace Poe said former leaders of DOTr have repeatedly made eight years of unfulfilled commitments to stakeholders, which contributed largely to the “push back against” the PTMP.
She said among the issues not addressed were having a comprehensive transport route, high prices of modern jeepneys, insistence on using the design of modern jeepneys over the traditional ones which have been an icon of the country’s transportation system, and the lack of ample government subsidy to effectively implement the program.
“Aside from this is the low disbursement rate. The government allotted P7.5 billion for it from 2018 to 2024, but only 53 percent of the funds were spent,” Poe said.
“Genuine modernization cannot be achieved through rushed implementation. It demands careful planning, inclusive consultations and a commitment to ensuring that no driver or commuter is left behind. Now is the time for the DOTR to deliver for all stakeholders,” she said. – With Jocelyn Montemayor, Ashzel Hachero, Victor Reyes and Raymond Africa
