Striking transport groups told: Don’t harass drivers not joining

THE Metropolitan Manila Development Authority yesterday appealed to members of the transport groups Pinagkaisang Samahan ng mga Tsuper at Operators Nationwide (PISTON) and the Malayang Alyansa ng Bus Employees at Laborers (Manibela) not to harass or coerce members of other transport groups who are not joining their strike.

The transport strike is part of PISTON and Manibela’s continuing opposition to the government’s public utility vehicle modernization program, particularly the franchise consolidation deadline on December 31.

“We are appealing to PISTON and Manibela members not to block or coerce those who refused to join them. We have reported many such incidents to the National Capital Region Police Office,” MMDA Traffic Enforcement Group Director Victor Nunez told the Bagong Pilipinas Ngayon public forum.

“If you want to stop plying your routes or conduct rallies, don’t harass those who refused to join,” he added.

Nunez said the agency’s command center monitored several incidents of harassment yesterday morning in Quezon City and Malabon City.

“Just this morning, three transport group leaders called me and asked for assistance, saying their members are being harassed,” the MMDA traffic chief said, adding the agency is coordinating with the NCRPO, the local police and the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board to ensure that such incidents would not be repeated.

Nunez also downplayed the impact of the transport strike, saying it would have minimal impact on public transport in the metropolis.

He added that in yesterday’s rush hour, they monitored passengers stranded in several areas in the metropolis, prompting them to immediately deploy agency vehicles to ferry them.

The MMDA and local government units in Metro Manila have deployed more than 600 buses and other vehicles to ferry any commuters stranded by the transport strike.

Earlier, PISTON national president Mody Floranda said their concerns on the PUV modernization, particularly the December 31 franchise consolidation deadline, were not heard during their meeting with LTFRB chief Teofilo Guadiz III.

Floranda said their transport strike will last until December 29.