MMDA command center up for transport strike

MANILA, Philippines: The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) reactivated its multi-agency command center in response to the two-day transport strike that officially started today, Thursday.

The situation is still normal as of 7 a.m. along major thoroughfares throughout Metro Manila with many jeepney drivers saying they will only stop plying their routes and taking passengers if their transport group asks them to join the strike or their respective routes are blocked by their fellow drivers who have joined the protest against the Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program (PUVM).

«We have gotten to the point where the transport groups cannot [hold] hostage our transportation systems now because the government is addressing the effects of their strike,» said MMDA Acting Chairman Don Artes in an interview as he assured that the government is ready to respond to the strike.

Artes said they will make sure public transportation will be available to commuters in addition to the 686 vehicles that are on standby, including those from local governments in Metro Manila.

He said enforcers are monitoring the traffic and will implement proper augmentation if there are stranded commuters.

He added that the government's preparation against the transport strike in the past has been «effective» in ensuring minimal disruptions to commuters.

Despite the claims of Pagkakaisa ng mga Samahan ng Tsuper at Operaytor Nationwide (PISTON) that more than 100,000 jeepney drivers and operators will join the strike, Artes said several transport groups have signified that they will not participate.

The MMDA will not suspend the number coding scheme, he added.

Various transport groups, led by Piston, are protesting the December 31 deadline set by the government for franchise consolidation.

At the same time, Piston said the two-day transport strike may be extended if the Department of Transportation (DoTr) through the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) will not change some of the provisions of Department Order 2017-011 or the Omnibus Franchising Guidelines.

Drivers and operators of traditional jeepneys and UV Express units need to consolidate into cooperatives