DepEd not suspending classes today
SOME 9,000 policemen would be deployed nationwide to maintain peace and order during the three-day transport strike to be staged by the transport group Piston starting today, Monday, the PNP said yesterday.
The transport strike is meant to dramatize the group’s opposition to the government’s program to phase out public utility jeepneys and replace them with mini-busses that operators said cost more to acquire.
The Department of Education said it would not suspend classes despite the transport strike, adding it would leave the decision on the suspension of classes to local government units.
“Unless local government units announce the cancellation and or suspension of classes in their respective jurisdictions, schools shall hold classes without disruption,” the department said.
In a radio interview, PNP spokeswoman and concurrent Public Information Office chief Col. Jean Fajardo warned the protesters against unruly activities.
“We don’t want disorder but the PNP is ready to enforce law and local ordinances if we see illegal assembly, meaning they are already blocking people in the streets, they are doing road barricades,” Fajardo said Fajardo.
“That’s why we are deploying (PNP) personnel to make sure they (Piston group members) will not reach the point of blocking people, do barricades, because these lead to disorder in the streets,” said Fajardo.
Fajardo said the PNP has placed on standby some 920 vehicles nationwide to assist local government and other government agencies in providing free rides to commuters who would be stranded.
“The mobility assets of the PNP are readily available if there will be stranded commuters,” said Fajardo.
Metropolitan Manila Development Authority chief Romando Artes said the agency is ready to deploy its vehicles, in coordination with LGUs, to ferry stranded passengers.
Reports said the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board will deploy 250 vehicles in Metro Manila to provide free rides to commuters.
Artes also said the Unified Vehicular Volume Reduction Program or number coding has been suspended in the metropolis today, Monday.
“The implementation of the number coding scheme tomorrow, November 20, will be suspended,” Artes said.
However, the city government of Makati said it will continue the implementation of number coding in its jurisdiction.
Artes said they are confident the transport strike would not paralyze public transport in Metro Manila considering that other major groups such as the Federation of Jeepney Operators and Drivers Association of the Philippines have announced they are not joining the strike.
Artes also told to public to brace for heavier traffic due to the transport strike and the suspension of the number coding scheme.
“That is why we remind the public to plan their travel today. If it is not that important, then it would be better to cancel it,” he said.
Asked if the number coding would also be suspended on Tuesday, Artes said they would evaluate the traffic flow on a daily basis to see if there is still a need to suspend the scheme.
“We will decide on a day-to-day basis. Once we suspend coding, the result is heavier traffic flow,” he explained.
NO TO HARASSMENT
Fajardo said that while the PNP respects the right of Piston to hold a transport strike, protesters should not harass drivers who continue to ply their routes.
“While we respect their right to stage a protest and conduct this kind of activity, our appeal to them is not to harass drivers (who are not joining the transport strike),” said Fajardo, adding the PNP has held a dialog with Piston leaders.
“That is our appeal, and in fact, we committed to them that we are going to guard their rally areas to make sure those who are joining the protest will also be safe,” said Fajardo.
She said some 9,000 policemen will be sent out to the streets nationwide to ensure peace and order, adding the cops will hold roving patrols at rally areas.
She said that cops would also be prepositioned at major thoroughfares and strategic areas where commuters usually converge to extend traffic assistance and conduct checkpoint and border controls.
Fajardo said an undetermined number of policemen, including civil disturbance and management (CDM) teams and reactionary standby forces, will be on standby for deployment in case of an emergency.
“We are hoping that it (transport strike) will be peaceful, the protest will not turn violent.
But in case violence breaks out, our CDM (personnel) will be ready to control the situation,” she said.
The Quezon City Police District (QCPD) said it would deploy 25 vehicles “to provide assistance to those who may be inconvenienced by the disruption of regular transportation services.”
The QCPD said its personnel “will also conduct foot, mobile, motorcycle, and checkpoint patrols to preempt illegal activities throughout the event.
“In light of the impending transport strike, the QCPD force is ready to provide a helping hand to our fellow citizens. We understand the challenges they may face in reaching their destinations, and we want to alleviate that burden by offering free rides during this period of disruption,” said QCPD director Brig. Gen. Redrico Maranan. — With Ashzel Hachero
