The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) said the transport strike staged by Malayang Alyansa ng Bus Employees at Laborers (MANIBELA) on October 16 failed to paralyze the normal public transportation operations at the National Capital Region.
Transport group Manibela, headed by Mar Valbuena, is opposing LTFRB’s December 31 deadline for the consolidation of traditional jeepneys as part of the Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program (PUVMP).
“Based on our monitoring, there was no major disruption of public transportation in Metro Manila,” said MMDA Acting Chairman Atty. Don Artes during a press briefing held at the MMDA Head Office in Pasig City.
“Kung ang purpose ng strike ay i-paralyze ang public transportation, nabigo po sila. Pero kung ang purpose nila ay magpapansin, siguro nagtagumpay sila.”
“Kung ang purpose ng strike ay i-paralyze ang public transportation, nabigo po sila. Pero kung ang purpose nila ay magpapansin, siguro nagtagumpay sila sa ganoong aspeto. Nabigyan siya ng airtime, na-interview siya,” Artes added.
The MMDA chief noted that there was a passenger buildup in some areas, which he categorically described as usual Monday morning foot traffic.
Moreover, Artes refuted the claim of Valbuena that the government was intimidated by threats of strike which prompted several local government units (LGUs) and learning establishments to suspend classes. Some LGUs and government offices offered free rides to ensure the strike will not inconvenience commuters.
“Hindi tayo magpapa-hostage sa ganyang pananakot. Ang cancellation ng klase ay call ng mga LGUs. Nag-online classes naman, hindi total cancellation,” he stressed.
“Ang atin pong pamahalaan ay hindi pwedeng i-hostage ng banta ng economic sabotage at inconvenience ng commuting public lalong-lalo na kung ang dine-demand mo ay mali.”
“Ang atin pong pamahalaan ay hindi puwedeng i-hostage ng banta ng economic sabotage at inconvenience ng commuting public lalong-lalo na kung ang dine-demand mo ay mali. Tandaan po natin, ang jeepney modernization ay inuutos ng batas. In fact, more than 70 percent na ang compliant diyan,” Artes explained.
Ahead of the October 16 transport strike, the MMDA has set-up a multi-agency command center (MACC) at the MMDA Head Office in Pasig City to monitor the developments of the transport strike.
Augmentation vehicles were also prepositioned in strategic areas.
Further, the MMDA chief appealed for understanding as the agency did not suspend the expanded Unified Vehicular Volume Reduction Program (UVVRP) or number coding scheme.
“The decision of MMDA not to suspend the number coding scheme has yielded a positive result. Our aim is to avoid impeded traffic flow and to generate faster turn-around time of public transportation,” he explained.
Earlier, transport operators belonging to the “Magnificent 7” group made a commitment to MMDA officials that they will not be joining the transport strike initiated by Manibela.
They are Pasang Masda, Alliance of Transport Operators and Drivers Association of the Philippines (Altodap), Pagkakaisa ng mga Samahan ng Tsuper at Opereytor Nationwide (Piston), Alliance of Concerned Transport Organizations (ACTO), Federation of Jeepney Operators and Drivers Association of the Philippines (Fejodap), Stop and Go Transport Coalition, and Liga ng Transportasyon at Operators sa Pilipinas (LTOP).
