The local government units (LGU) of Malabon, Valenzuela, and Quezon cities have announced that classes in all levels and work in public and private offices will not be cancelled during the three-day transport strike of public utility vehicles (PUV) that started on Monday, Nov. 20.
The LGUs said that they will deploy vehicles to ferry commuters who will be affected by the strike.
According to the Quezon City government, about 96 QCity buses will be deployed to bring students and workers to their schools and offices during the transport strike.
Twelve electric tricycles (e-trikes) were also deployed by the city's Department of Public Order and Safety to aid commuters.
It said that learners who will not be able to go to their school campuses for face-to-face classes will be excused and asynchronous classes will be implemented for them.
As of 8 a.m. on Monday, the traffic flow in the city's roads are normal, the City Traffic and Transport Management Department said.
The Valenzuela City government also said that it deployed "Libreng Sakay" trucks along the city's major thoroughfares to assist residents and commuters during the event.
The "Libreng Sakay" trucks will pass through different routes including Paso De Blas - Malinta, Malanday - Monumento, Polo - Monumento, and Malanday - Polo.
In Malabon City, the city government also deployed vehicles to provide free rides to learners as classes will not be suspended in the city's public schools.
The vehicles will travel around Malabon via Acacia Monumento and Letre Monumento, and will pass through Gasak-Letre, and Gasak-Navotas routes.
Local government personnel will also conduct monitoring to check the situation on the city's roads.
Commuters who will have a hard time getting PUV rides were advised to contact the local government units in the cities for assistance.
Meanwhile, the Navotas City government said that the PUVs in the city did not participate in the transport strike but vehicles were on standby to be deployed to assist commuters when needed.
The transport strike was conducted by transport groups led by Pagkakaisa ng mga Samahan ng Tsuper at Operator Nationwide (PISTON) in protest of the PUV Modernization Program which aims to upgrade the traditional jeepneys with eco-friendly vehicles.
The national government has set a deadline for the consolidation of jeepney drivers and operators to a corporation or cooperative until Dec. 31, as a requirement for franchise application under the program.