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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Artes explains why calls for transport strikes have been losing ground

Artes explains why calls for transport strikes have been losing ground

Published Dec 14, 2023 03:32 am

For Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) chairman Don Artes, the national government has already reached a stage that it could no longer be held hostage by defiant groups through threats and holding of transport strikes.

Artes made the statement as the Pagkakaisa ng mga Samahan ng Tusper at Operator Nationwide (Piston) is holding a transport strike anew that started on Thursday, Dec. 14 and expected to end on Friday, Dec. 15.

And he attributed the minimal effects of transport strikes in the past few years to the vast experience that government agencies gained in the preparations and responses on the past protest actions aimed at paralyzing public transportation.

“I think we already reached the point that transport groups can no longer hold the government and the public hostage because we are able to address the needs of the riding public,” said Artes. 

Past transport strikes had been successful in paralyzing public transportation in Metro Manila and other urban areas across the country, which would sometimes result in the declaration of class suspension.

But in the past few years, the MMDA noted minimal effects and attributed it to the strategic planning to cushion the impact, including the deployment of vehicles for libreng sakay or free rides. 

And based on his own analysis, Artes said jeepney operators and drivers themselves have already realized that they are always at the losing end of the transport strike since they are the ones who would lose income.

He added that the efficient handling of response, through monitoring and coordination with all the government agencies concerned, is also a big factor in addressing the potential problems that the transport strike would bring to the commuting public. 

On the first day of Piston’s transport strike on Thursday, MMDA General Manager Procopio Lipana and MMDA Traffic Discipline Office Director for Enforcement Victor Nuñez started the monitoring early at the agency’s Communications and Command Center (MMDA-CCC).

More than 600 vehicles from various government agencies that include the local government units were deployed and prepositioned in areas expected to be affected by the transport strike.

As of 10 a.m. on Thursday, only 38 vehicles were utilized and provided free rides to a total of 778 passengers.

Artes earlier said that they are not deploying their rescue vehicles since they also have to consider the jeepney drivers who would not join the transport strike.

The rescue vehicles are only deployed in areas where there are monitored stranded passengers.

Piston initiated another trabsport strike to protest the issues regarding the Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program (PUVMP). Its demands includ the lifting of the deadline for consolidation of operators and drivers into a corporation or cooperative.

 

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