LAGUNA – The provincial government provided free rides across major cities and municipalities on the first day of the nationwide transport strike on Monday, March 6.

In a Facebook post, Gov. Ramil L. Hernandez announced that there are buses and commuter trucks available along three routes: Pacita-Canlalay Boundary to Balibago Complex and back; Balibago Complex to Hectan in Calamba and back; and Calamba Crossing to University of the Philippines Los Baños junction and back.

Hernandez said the provincial government may add more routes, depending on their assessment.

Some local government units (LGU) had earlier announced that they will be providing free transportation during the strike, including San Pedro City and Santa Rosa City.

The Laguna Police Provincial Office (PPO), meanwhile, is using its 41 mobile patrols to offer free rides to commuters.

Acting Provincial Director Col. Randy Glenn G. Silvio deployed 707 uniformed personnel to ensure the safety of the commuting public and the rallyists, including its Reactionary Standby Support Force and Civil Disturbance Management contingent.

Authorities have also set up 79 checkpoints across Laguna.

“Nakiki-usap naman ako sa ating mga transport groups, na huwag gumawa ng ilegal na aktibidad, at hayaang makabyahe ang mga commuters (I appeal to transport groups not to resort to illegal activities and to allow commuters to travel),” Silvio said in a statement.