MALACANANG yesterday assured the public that contingencies are in place to cushion the impact of the three-day transport strike organized by transport group Manibela starting today, Monday.
Communications Undersecretary and Palace Press Office Claire Castro, in a message to the media, said Transportation Secretary Vince Dizon has reported to Malacanang that additional buses are being deployed at the EDSA busway while the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) will provide “Libreng Sakay” buses in areas affected by the transport strike.
Dizon said more trains would also be deployed at the Metro Rail Transit and Light Rail Transits 1 and 2 to accommodate more passengers.
The National Capital Region Police Office said some 8,000 policemen will be deployed in Metro Manila to ensure peace and order during the strike.
Some schools in Metro Manila and nearby regions have announced that they are shifting to online or synchronized classes during the strike.
Manibela will hold the strike to protest the alleged inaccurate consolidation numbers from the Land Transportation and Franchising Regulatory Board (LTFRB) for the public utility vehicle modernization program.
Manibela head Mar Valbuena said the LTFRB lied when it claimed that 86 percent of PUVs have already consolidated.
A review by DOTr showed that only 43 percent of PUVs had been approved for consolidation while the other 43 percent have just submitted their requirements and are still being reviewed.
Under the Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program (PUVMP), public utility jeepney drivers and operators must consolidate by joining a cooperative or a corporation to be able to avail of government aid under the jeepney modernization programs as well as retain their franchise and be able to continue to ply their routes.
In a statement released by Malacañang, Dizon appealed for talks or dialogues to clear issues instead of PVU drivers and operators conducting rallies that inconvenience the public.
“Sana huwag ng mag-strike, instead sana mag-usap na lang muna para maintindihan ng bagong liderato sa DOTr ang mga hinaing nila (We hope that they would not go on strike; instead, they should talk so the new DOTr leadership can better understand their grievances),” he said.
POLICE VISIBILITY
Maj. Hazel Asilo, spokesperson of the National Capital Region Police Office, said the policemen to be deployed include 2,472 personnel trained in civil disturbance management (CDM).
“More than 8,000 (NCRPO personnel) will be deployed in the entire NCRPO, including 2,472 CDM personnel,” Asilo said.
Asilo said the NCRPO has put on standby some of its vehicles to extend assistance to commuters who might be affected by the transport strike. She did not say how many NCRPO vehicles are on standby.
“We have vehicles on standby, ready to be dispatched to provide free rides, in case these are needed by the LGUs (local government units) and other agencies like LTFRB (Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board) and MMDA (Metropolitan Manila Development Authority),” said Asilo.
Asilo said the NCRPO respects the rights of Manibela members to hold a strike.
She appealed to the members of the group to peacefully hold the strike.
“Let us ensure that no one will be hurt,” said Asilo.
To the policemen who will be deployed, Asilo said they are reminded to do their job in a calm, humane, and fair manner.
“It is our responsibility to serve and protect everyone, ensure the safety of everyone,” said Asilo.
MMDA RESPONSE
The MMDA said it is confident the 3-day transport strike will not paralyze public transportation in the metropolis.
MMDA Traffic Discipline Office Director for Enforcement Victor Nunez said the agency’s preparations for the planned transport strike started last week in coordination with other government agencies and the 17 local government units in Metro Manila.
Nunez said the agency will deploy traffic enforcers along major thoroughfares as well as vehicles for the “Libreng Sakay” program to ferry any stranded commuters.
“Magkakaroon ng prepositioning ng libreng sakay at single dispatch para sa sa mga commuters na lubhang maaapektuhan ng nasabing tigil pasada (There will be a prepositioning of vehicles for any commuters who might be affected by the transport strike),” Nunez said.
He said the MMDA Communications and Command Center at its main office in Pasig City, assisted by the Inter-Agency Task Force Monitoring Team, will closely monitor the transport strike to heed any disturbance.
“In the past two or three transport strikes, public transport and commuters were not that really affected),” he said.
MMDA Public Information Office Chief Sharon Gentalian said there will be a “normal deployment of traffic enforcers” today, though he did not provide numbers.
The agency has in its roll more than 2,000 traffic enforcers.
“Normal deployment po ng enforcers. May mga naka-standby na vehicles for possible dispatch para sa libreng sakay kung kakailanganin. Wala pang final count as of this time, dahil kino-collate pa ang total coming from various agencies, private companies, and LGUs,” Gentalian said.
At 7 a.m. today, MMDA Chairperson Romando Artes and Department of Transportation Secretary Vince Dizon will proceed to the MMDA’s Command Center to monitor the situation on major thoroughfares and other areas in Metro Manila.
Several schools in the metropolis will suspend face-to-face classes today due to the transport strike.
These are Adamson University, Cavite State University (main campus, until March 26), Centro Escolar Integrated School Manila, Colegio de San Juan de Letran, De La Salle University (Manila and Laguna campuses, until March 26), Far Eastern University (Manila and Makati campuses);
Malayan High School of Science, Manila Central University, Manuel L. Quezon University (until March 26), Mapúa University (Intramuros and Makati campuses, Senior High School), Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila, Philippine College of Criminology (until March 26), and St. Louis Anne Colleges of San Pedro Laguna Inc. (until March 26).
Trinity University of Asia will also suspend in-person learning until March 26, along with University of Perpetual Help System-Laguna, University of Santo Tomas and University of the East.
MORE BUSES
The DOTr said it would deploy additional buses on the EDSA Busway system and raise the number of trains operating on the Metro Rail Transit (MRT) Line 3, Light Rail Transit (LRT) Line 1, and LRT-2 during the transport strike.
Transportation Secretary Vince Dizon said he intends to hold a dialogue to address the grievances of the transport groups.
“Let’s call on our countrymen who are already suffering from the daily commute, please don’t strike; instead let’s just talk first so that the new leadership at DOTr understands their grievances,” he said.
Five transport groups in favor of the PTMP program urged Dizon to continue the PTMP.
In a joint statement, Pasang Masda, Altodap, Acto, Busina and Curoda said: “Hinihikayat naming huwag magpadala ang kalihim sa ilang grupo na ginagamit ang isyu para sa pansarili at pampulitikang interes lamang. Sila ho ay nanggugulo lamang. Kami nga ho kinaya namin, unfair naman sa amin kung sila ay hindi susunod. [We urge the secretary not to give in to some groups who are using the issue for personal and political interests only. They are only causing trouble. We have done our best; it would be unfair to us if they do not comply.]”
The five transport groups called Enormous 5 is set to conduct a public briefing at the LTFRB office today, Monday, to express their support to the PTMP. – With Victor Reyes, Ashzel Hachero, and Myla Iglesias
