Metro Manila (CNN Philippines-December 13)— The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority said Wednesday it reactivated its multi-agency command center ahead of the transport strike on Thursday and Friday.
Following the announcement of transport groups about their continuing protest against the public utility vehicle modernization program, MMDA Acting Chairman Don Artes said in an interview that the government will be ready to make sure public transportation will be available to commuters.
“\”Magkakaroon po ng monitoring team, multi-agency command center, doon po gaganapin, doon sa atin pong old command center [Translation: We will be having a multi-agency command center at the old command center],” Artes told reporters.
“Dumating na tayo sa point na hindi na kayang i-hostage ng mga transport group ang pamahalaan at mga publiko, dahil natutugunan naman natin ‘yung pangangailangan or na-a-address natin ‘yung epekto ng strike,” he added.
[Translation: We have gotten to the point where the transport groups cannot hostage our transportation systems now because the government is addressing the effects of their strike.]
Artes said some 686 vehicles will be on standby, including those from local governments in Metro Manila.
He said enforcers are set to monitor the traffic and will implement proper augmentation if there are stranded commuters.
He added that the government’s preparation against the transport strike has been \”effective\” since the recent protest by jeepney drivers and operators caused minimal disruptions to commuters.
Despite the claims of Pagkakaisa ng mga Samahan ng Tsuper at Opereytor Nationwide (PISTON) that more than 100,000 jeepney drivers and operators will join the strike, Artes said a number of transport groups have signified that they will not participate.
READ: PISTON to hold another nationwide transport strike on Dec. 14-15
He added that the MMDA will not suspend the number coding scheme to avoid traffic.
\”Makakaapekto rin po yan sa mga turnaround time ng ating transportasyon, kaya hindi po tayo magsu-suspend,” he said.
[Translation: This will also have an effect on the turnaround time of our transportation, that’s why we will not suspend it]
He also said the extension of mall operating hours and traffic enforcement duties will help manage vehicle flow and prevent extreme congestion.
Meanwhile, he noted that traffic in Metro Manila has been usually concentrated and extended from 10 p.m. to 11 p.m.
