Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, February 28) — The government has laid down contingency measures should transport groups push through with their strike next week, the Department of Transportation (DOTr) said Tuesday.
DOTr Secretary Jaime Bautista told reporters that agencies may be tapped to provide vehicles to help affected commuters.For example, ang Coast Guard, meron kaming mga available na mga sasakyan. Other government agencies, MMDA, marami namang magsu-support sa atin,” Bautista said.[Translation: For example, our Coast Guard, we have available vehicles. Other government agencies, MMDA, there are a lot that will support us.]Bautista added that some modern jeepneys will continue to ply the roads despite the protest.Dito sa Metro Manila, marami na rin namang mga modernized jeepneys (Here in Metro Manila, there are a lot of modernized jeepneys),” the transport chief said. “They assured us they will continue operations.Transport group Manibela earlier warned that traditional jeepneys and UV Express operators and drivers will go on a week-long, nationwide strike starting March 6 if authorities do not heed their call to suspend the mandatory consolidation of their franchises.
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Bautista said he has invited the group for a dialogue on the matter.He also expressed hope that the transport holiday will be halted once the parties have tackled the issue.Pakikiusapan pa rin natin sila na ‘wag ituloy,” Bautista stressed. “Palagay ko pag nagkausap kami nang maayos, hindi matutuloy ‘yung strike.
[Translation: We will ask them not to push through with it. I think, if we have a proper discussion, the strike won’t push through.]
