Manibela transport strike causes ‘minor disruption’

THE first day of the 3-day transport strike by the Malayang Alyansa ng Bus Employees at Laborers (Manibela) yesterday caused only “minor disruption” to public transport in the metropolis, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority said.

MMDA Chairperson Romando Artes said he expects the same situation today and tomorrow.

“So far, minimal disruption on public transport. We were able to respond to the need for augmentation vehicles,” Artes said in a Viber message. “But we are prepared just the same.”

Except for an incident in Dagohoy, Caloocan City where some of the protesters were monitored “harassing” their colleagues who did not join the strike, Artes said the transport strike was generally peaceful.

“The protest was generally peaceful except for some reports of harassment which were attended to by the PNP,” he said.

“The government respects the right of transport groups to express their opinion but it should be done in an orderly and peaceful manner. There should be no harassment of their colleagues who decided to ply their routes and earn for their families,” he said.

Artes said the agency, through its Task Force Monitoring Team based at the MMDA Communications and Command Center in its main office in Pasig City, immediately sought police assistance after receiving reports of the alleged harassment.

The agency also readied 686 vehicles, the same number it prepared for the Piston-led strike that ended yesterday, to ferry stranded passengers in the metropolis.

Artes said 83 vehicles were actually fielded, ferrying a total of 1,547 passengers in Sucat, Baclaran, Sta. Ana, Tipas-Pasig-Pateros routes and Napindan-San Joaquin routes in Pasig, Sta.Mesa-Cubao routes, Lardizabal-Dela Fuente and Cubao-Divisoria routes.

The Pasig River Ferry Service also ferried for free 934 passengers.

“The Pasig River Ferry Service is a reliable alternative mode of transport, especially now that there is a transport strike. Aside from being free of charge, the ferry boats used are also clean, reliable, and safe,” Artes said.