MMDA to transport groups: You can hold strikes for a year!

“If they want, they can do it even for a year!”

This was the challenge hurled by the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority to transport groups that have threatened to mount continuous strikes to protest the government’s public utility vehicle modernization program, particularly the franchise consolidation deadline on December 31.

MMDA Chairperson Romando Artes said the government cannot allow itself to be held hostage by transport groups that have threatened to stop plying their routes every time a new transport policy or rule is set to be implemented.

“If they want, they can stage the strike for a year but the MMDA and the government are ready even if it lasts for a year,” Artes told reporters in an ambush interview after he and several MMDA officials handed out grocery packs to motorists along Epifanio de los Santos Avenue.

“We have come to the point where the government cannot be held hostage anymore by their threats to stop plying their routes just so they will get what they want even if it would inconvenience the commuters,” Artes added.

He said the agency has gained valuable experience on how to handle transport strikes over the years, adding such moves by transport groups will not paralyze public transport in the metropolis, especially amid the Christmas holiday rush.

Earlier, Artes and MMDA Traffic Enforcement Group Director Victor Nunez both downplayed the impact of the transport strike led by the Pinagkaisang Samahan ng mga Tsuper at Operators Nationwide (PISTON) and the Malayang Alyansa ng Bus Employees at Laborers (Manibela) that started last Monday until December 29, saying the agency and the 17 local government units in Metro Manila are prepared.

The MMDA and LGUs have readied more than 600 buses and other vehicles to ferry stranded commuters.

Nunez appealed to PISTON and Manibela members not to harass or coerce other transport group members who declined to join the strike.