Government downplays PUJ strike; groups claim success

MANILA, Philippines — Striking transport groups claimed that they paralyzed 80 percent of Metro Manila’s public transportation routes yesterday, but the government said the strike “was hardly felt by the riding public.”

“Many joined the program of the government. It’s about 77 percent. Those who did not join the consolidation after the pandemic chose to shift to other sources of income. Others decided to go to the provinces… That’s the reason why many did not join the strike today,” said Teofilo Guadiz III, Land Transportation, Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) chairman.

Guadiz reiterated in yesterday’s Bagong Pilipinas Ngayon briefing that starting May 1, the LTFRB and other concerned government agencies would go after colorum jeepneys.

“Since they have no franchises, they can be prevented from operating starting May 1. This will be done by LTFRB and other concerned government agencies who are monitoring the jeepney to ensure that everyone complies with the law on matters of consolidation,” Guadiz said.

The Philippine National Police, noting that the first day of the two-day strike was generally peaceful, also reported that the activity “was hardly felt by the riding public in Metro Manila.”

“We have not monitored any stranded passenger,” Col. Jean Fajardo, PNP public information officer, said in a phone interview, citing a report from the National Capital Region Police Office that there were no stranded commuters on the roads in Metro Manila.

Fajardo said more than 6,000 police officers were deployed in Metro Manila to ensure public safety and security during the strike.

She added that mobility assets from the PNP, Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) and other concerned government agencies were ready to deploy their assets to transport people who might be affected by the strike.

According to the MMDA, a total of 362 rescue vehicles were prepared to give free rides to passengers. These include the 80 vehicles – composed of trucks, vans and electric tricycles or e-trikes – from the Manila City government.

Other government agencies and all of Metro Manila’s 17 local governments also made sure that vehicles would be available to transport