Muntinlupa Mayor Ruffy Biazon has issued an executive order on March 6 directing offices and agencies implement measures to respond to the ongoing transport strike or “tigil pasada.”  The transport strike will be held from March 6 12 to oppose the government’s PUV Modernization Program.  A bus of the Muntinlupa City government deployed for the "libreng sakay" on March 6 (Photo from Muntinlupa PIO)
On March 6, the Muntinlupa City government deployed vehicles for “libreng sakay” (free ride) to transport commuters  On the same day, Biazon issued Executive Order No. 9 containing measures to offset the effects of the transport striker.  According to Biazon, “the transport strike has the potential to inflict major disruptions in the daily lives of all citizens, particularly the riding public, among which include students and workers.” The “City Government of Muntinlupa (CGM) must undertake measures to curb the effects of the Tigil-Pasada and safeguard the interest of the riding public, particularly its resident students and workers,” he added.  In his order, Biazon said, “All departments and offices with spare service vehicles, including, but not limited to, flexi-trucks, pick-ups, and other similarly-situated vehicles, shall deploy the same to transport stranded riding public, particularly the students and workers, to and from designated points within the territorial jurisdiction of the city.” The police, he said, “shall remain vigilant against and responsive to any contingency that may arise because of the disruption in the public transport system.” The Muntinlupa Public Order and Safety Office (POSO) “shall provide auxiliary service in provision of security and of maintenance of peace and order.”  Biazon also allowed tricycles to transport passengers outside their designated routes.  “The Tricycle Regulatory Unit (TRU), with the MTMB as lead agency, shall undertake the allowance of tricycle units to traverse and pass through roads not otherwise covered by their respective city franchises,” he said.  “The tricycle drivers and operators shall work closely with the TRU and the MTMB to ensure the Tigil-Pasada shall have minimum adverse effect on the riding public as much as possible,” according to the order.  For classes, the mayor said “the Early Childhood Education Division (ECED) shall continue its normal daily conduct of classes, owing to the fact that their young students live in proximity to the day care centers.” The Schools Division Office in Muntinlupa will “implement asynchronous and synchronous classes, as the logistics and circumstances permit, in public elementary schools and public high schools.” The Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Muntinlupa (PLMun) will also implement asynchronous and synchronous classes.”  “The management of private schools, on all levels, shall exercise their respective discretion in calling off classes altogether, in implementing asynchronous or synchronous classes, or in holding face-to-face classes, albeit full or part time,” he said.  He added, “Subject to the progress and impact of the Tigil-Pasada, the Alternative Delivery Mode (ADM) of Classes may be extended.”