Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 15) — The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) assured commuters it is prepared to augment public transport in areas likely to be affected by the nationwide protest on Tuesday.
“Just in case we are ready po to augment public transport to ensure na hindi masyadong maaabala yung ating mga kababayan sa kanilang pagpunta at pag-uwi sa kanilang mga bahay,” MMDA Chairman Don Artes said in a press briefing with other transport officials on Monday.
[Translation: Just in case, we are ready to augment public transportation to ensure that our commuters will not inconvenienced.]
Artes said they are coordinating with public utility vehicle (PUV) drivers and operators who are not joining the protest to properly plan where to deploy free rides to ensure commuters’ convenience.
Over 800 vehicles are ready to be deployed “at any given time,” he added.
“Itong mga sasakayan pinepreposition lang natin kung saan maaaring magkaroon ng disruption sa public transport,” the MMDA official explained. [These vehicles were prepositioned for areas where there may be disruption in public transportation.]
The Manila government also said it is “prepared to assist possible stranded passengers, if any,” with local authorities to monitor various routes and provide “Libreng Sakay” trips for commuters throughout the protest.
Over the weekend, transport groups Manibela and Piston announced they will be holding a protest on Jan. 16 to oppose the government’s public utility vehicle (PUV) modernization program.
Manibela, the transport group leading the protest, earlier called on the junking of the PUV modernization program, claiming it lacks research and will only result in the displacement of thousands of transport workers.
Despite Manibela stressing there will be no transport strike, Artes said Malacañang has activated the inter-agency task force on tigil-pasada to prepare for any eventuality.
“In-activate na po ng office ni ES Bersamin ‘yung aming inter-agency task force tigil pasada kung saan imo-monitor po natin ‘yung lagay ng pampublikong transportasyon hindi lamang dito sa Metro Manila kundi sa iba pang lugar,” he said.
[Translation: The office of Eexcutive Secretary Lucas Bersamin activated our inter-agency task force on transport strike, allowing us to monitor the situation of public transportation not only here in Metro Manila but in other areas.]
Artes further said they will be monitoring the public transport situation as early as 5 a.m.
