MANILA, (PIA) -- The Malabon City government, led by Mayor Jeannie Sandoval, has prepared contingency measures to assist stranded commuters during the nationwide transport strike scheduled for Monday and Tuesday, April 15-16.
According to Mayor Sandoval, the local government has set aside around 9 vehicles, including a bus, L300 van, all-purpose vehicles (APVs), light-duty trucks, and tow trucks, to provide free transportation for residents who might be affected by the strike.
"We have prepared free rides for our fellow citizens to minimize their worries about going to their jobs and other destinations. You can count on our government to continue assisting commuters so they won't have a hard time with their travel, whether going to or from their homes, during the transport strike," Mayor Sandoval said.
Ret. Col. Reynaldo Medina Jr., chief of the Public Safety and Traffic Management Office (PSTMO), said that the designated vehicles will be deployed to serve identified routes, including Sangadaan–Tatawid, Malabon-Acacia-Monumento, and Gasak–Letre.
Medina also said they have met with tricycle, pedicab, and e-vehicle operators, who have pledged to continue providing rides for commuters. However, he reminded the operators not to take advantage of the situation and overcharge passengers due to the limited transportation options.
"In the previous strikes implemented by the organizations, we didn't have any serious problems in Malabon. The operations went smoothly, and our free ride vehicles were on standby, ready for dispatch anytime there was a shortage of transportation," Col. Medina added.
In addition to the free rides, the PSTMO will deploy approximately 92 personnel and motorcycle-riding units to conduct 24/7 patrols and monitoring on the roads. The Malabon City Police Station and the Bureau of Fire Protection – Malabon will also strengthen security across the city through continuous citywide monitoring, with announcements posted on social media.
Officials from Malabon's 21 barangays (villages) will also conduct monitoring in their respective areas and may dispatch available vehicles if necessary.
Aligning with the Department of Education's memorandum, Malabon's public schools will implement asynchronous classes/distance learning on the strike dates. The implementation of asynchronous classes in private schools will be at the discretion of each school's administration.
Some of the routes that may be affected by the strike near Malabon include Monumento Circle, Malabon-Monumento, and Monumento-Polo.
"To our fellow Malabueños, don't worry or be anxious because our government, under the leadership of our honorable Mayor Jeannie Sandoval, is always prepared for such incoming incidents. As I mentioned, in the last three transport strikes, we weren't greatly affected because we are always ready," Col. Medina reassured. (PIA-NCR)
