MANILA, (PIA) –The transport strike staged by group MANIBELA on Monday left only minimal impact and failed to paralyze public transportation in the metropolis and regions, according to the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB).
In a report submitted to Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista, the LTFRB said only a handful of protesters participated during the protest.
The LTFRB added that stranded commuters were provided with Libreng Sakay in their respective city governments as well as transport mobility assets deployed by the Philippine National Police (PNP) and Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA).
“Based on the nationwide monitoring of the transport strike/rally staged by MANIBELA, it did not, in any way, disrupt public transportation service in the country,” the report read.
Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista said Manibela’s failed protest was due to the non-participation of Magnificent 7, which has larger membership, skipping of the strike.
The transport chief added that Manibela’s claim of crippling 600 routes in Luzon and 150 public utility jeepneys (PUJ) affecting these routes was not evident on Monday’s protests with only 19 PUJs joining the rally.
“Manibela’s mobilization of small number of protesters during Monday’s protest and the Magnificent 7’s ignoring such protest was a clear sign that the strike was a complete failure. This group only wants to create noise and panic with some schools suspending classes with this failed threat,” Secretary Bautista said.
The Magnificent 7 is composed of transport groups Pasang Masda, Alliance of Transport Operators and Drivers Association of the Philippines (Altodap), Pinagkaisang Samahan ng mga Tsuper at Opereytors Nationwide (Piston), Alliance of Concerned Transport Organization, Federation of Jeepney Operators and Drivers Association of the Philippines (Fejodap), Stop and Go, and Liga ng Transportasyon at Operators ng Pilipinas.
Secretary Bautista assured the commuting public that operations and routes of PUVs are not affected, and remains in normal condition, adding that additional PUVs have been mobilized to ensure the continuous flow of public transportation in all areas.
The Department of Transportation (DOTr) likewise coordinated with concerned national government agencies and LGUs as a measure to mitigate the possibility of public transport disruption, including the deployment of additional PUVs and provision of free rides.
According to the LTFRB, the public transportation operations in provinces are normal with no stranded passengers reported. Roads are passable and other PUV routes are unaffected, it added.
The Transport strike held in other parts of the country also failed to disrupt the flow of public transport as government agencies and local government units (LGUs) deployed mobility assets and offered free rides to affected passengers. (dotr/pia-ncr)
