QUEZON CITY, (PIA) –Department of the Interior and Local Government Secretary Benhur Abalos assessed the situation in Metro Manila as generally normal amid the transport strike staged by the group MANIBELA on Monday, October 16.
Basing his assessment on the reports from the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA), the Interior Secretary said that the impact of the transport strike is very minimal to none.
“Everything is normal. Halos hindi naman naramdaman. Wala namang epekto rito sa Metro Manila,” he said.
Abalos said the generally normal situation is a result of the commitment made yesterday by the majority of the jeepney transport group leaders after he met with them. These groups form the Magnificent 7, which are: Pasang Masda, Alliance of Transport Operators and Drivers Association of the Philippines, PISTON, Alliance of Concerned Transport Organization, Federation of Jeepney Operators and Drivers Association of the Philippines, Stop and Go, and Liga ng Transportasyon at Operators ng Pilipinas.
He also attributed the very little impact of the transport strike to the preparations made by various agencies such as the MMDA, Department of Transportation, Land Transportation Office, and Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board.
A multi-agency command center was put up in the MMDA Communications and Command Center to monitor the situation of roads in the metropolis.
During his meeting with the Magnificent 7 yesterday, Abalos said that the transport strike would not paralyze the transportation in Metro Manila.
To further help the jeepney transport sector, the official said that they decided to create a technical working group to address the plight and concerns of the transport groups.
“The TWG shall anticipate issues raised by our jeepney drivers to resolve problems they’ve raised such as incidents of pangongotong by traffic enforcers from the local government units, and the guidelines for the use of e-tricycles, among others.” (dilg/pia-ncr)
