COMMUTERS UNAFFECTED BY MANIBELA TRANSPORT STRIKE — PALACE

MONDAY’S transport strike did not impact public commuters because the government implemented measures to assist those affected.

“Sa aking pagkakaalam, sa kasalukuyan ay hindi pa naman po apektado iyong commuters natin, lalung-lalo na po na talaga naman pong handa ang ating pamahalaan, ang administrasyon na tumulong sa anumang puwedeng maging inconvenience sa mga commuters,” Presidential Communications Office Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said during a press briefing.

Manibela, a public transport organization, has announced a three-day transport strike starting Monday.

Castro said that the government provided free rides to help alleviate the inconvenience faced by the commuting public.

In an announcement shared with the media on Sunday, Transportation Secretary Vince Dizon said additional buses will be deployed along the EDSA busway.

More trains will be made available from the Metro Rail Transit Line 3 and the Light Rail Transit Lines 1 and 2.

The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) said it will provide free transport in affected areas.

Castro echoed Dizon’s call for Manibela to coordinate with the government to address their concerns.

“Ang nais po ni Secretary Vince Dizon ay mag-usap po at ibigay nila sa bagong liderato po ng DOTr kung ano po iyong ninanais nila,” she said.

Castro also said they would further study how to encourage more jeepney operators and drivers to consolidate.

She said there should be a “win-win solution” for commuters and jeepney operators or drivers when implementing Public Utility Vehicle modernization.

“Aaralin po natin ngayon iyan. Kung 43 percent (consolidated jeepneys), at hihikayatin po natin na lahat ng maaaring mangyari ay pabor sa commuters, pabor din po sa mga jeepney operators at drivers. Lahat po ay dapat win-win solution po tayo,” she said.