Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, December 18) — The transportation system is enough to cater to Filipinos this holiday season despite “some” transport strikes happening in different parts of the country, Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista said on Monday.
\”Itong Christmas season talagang maraming pasahero. Kaya ang mga jeepney operator kahit may strike, marami pa din ang nag-o-operate…Mga buses natin, TNVS (Transport Network Vehicle Service), motorcycle taxi, meron din tayong MRT (Metro Rail Transit), LRT (Light Rail Transit),\” Bautista said in an interview.
[Translation: There is a really influx of passengers during the Christmas season. That’s why there are jeepney drivers still operating despite the strikes. We have buses, TNVS, motorcycle taxis, MRT, and LRT.]
“Sa tingin ko, sapat ang mga vehicles na nag-o-operate dito sa Metro Manila,” he added.
[Translation: I think there are enough transport operations here in Metro Manila.]
According to Bautista, the protests against the government’s Dec. 31 deadline for the consolidation of public utility vehicles (PUVs) did not paralyze public transportation, especially in Metro Manila, as only a number of operators and drivers joined the transport strike.
\”Wala namang masyadong epekto ang strike. Some of them may hawak na placards pero walang masyadong naapektuhan na pasahero…Konti lang nag-strike,\” he said.
[Translation: The strike had no major effect. Some of them held placards but those did not really affect the passengers. Only a few joined the strike.]
Last Friday, transport regulators issued a memorandum circular revoking on Jan. 1 the permits of those who will fail to comply with franchise consolidation, officially rejecting calls from transport groups against the consolidation deadline.
READ:
Permits of unconsolidated PUV operators to be revoked on New Year’s Day – LTFRB
Dec. 31 consolidation deadline still non-negotiable after LTFRB, transport groups talk
The PUV consolidation deadline still stands as “70% of operators nationwide have already supported the plan,” Bautista added.
Transport groups Pagkakaisa ng mga Samahan ng Tsuper at Operator Nationwide’s (PISTON) and Manibela continued its strikes on Monday in parts of Metro Manila, Bulacan, and Pampanga. They said that they will be extending their strikes for two weeks.
READ: PISTON, Manibela set another nationwide transport strike on Dec. 18- 22
The Philippine National Police (PNP) said in a separate statement Monday that the nationwide strike of transport group Manibela is “relatively peaceful” so far.
PNP spokesperson Col. Jean Fajardo said no major untoward incident has been recorded.
“Umaasa po tayo sa kabuuan ng kanilang protest rally ay wala naman po tayong ma-e-encounter na any major problems. ‘Yun po ‘yung pinagpapasalamat natin sa kanila dahil sumunod sila sa naging usapan natin na magiging mapayapa naman po ‘yung gagawin nilang protesta,” Fajardo said.
[Translation: We are hoping that we will not encounter any major problems in the protest rally today. We are thankful to them for following our protest requirement which is to hold it peacefully. ]
Last week, different trade unions from international countries like Australia and the United Kingdom expressed their support for the local transport groups.
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