Two-week transport strike extension starts, PNP readies peace and order contingency measures
The Philippine National Police Public (PNP) has prepared contingency measures to ensure peace order amid the extension of the transport strike to two more weeks in protest of the mandatory consolidation of jeepney drivers and operators into either a cooperative or a corporation.
The Dec. 31 deadline for consolidation is a major requirement for traditional jeepney operators and drivers to retain their franchise and this was opposed by transport groups Piston and Manibela which are both calling for the lifting of the deadline.
PNP spokesperson Col. Jean Fajardo said they are continuously deploying mobility assets in affected areas in Metro Manila and other regions in coordination with various government agencies, particularly the local government units (LGUs).
“Our mobility patrol for this transport strike will be deployed as part of the maximum deployment for the Holiday season,” said Fajardo.
“Protesting drivers and operators said they will extend the transport strike for the rest of the year so we will continue monitoring this,” she added.
Based on the latest monitoring of the PNP, around 385 people were seen holding protest action against some of the requirements for the Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program (PUVMP) in seven areas in Metro Manila.
“We have not received reports from other regions but so far, the transport strike is relatively peaceful,” said Fajardo,
Last week, Piston (Pagkakaisa ng mga Samahan ng Tsuper at Operator Nationwide) has started a two-day transport strike starting Dec. 14.
The group decided to extend the transport strike and starting Monday, Dec. 18, another transport group, Manibela, vowed to join Piston in the conduct of protest action until Dec. 29.
On the part of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) its chairman Don Artes said the contingency measures they prepared since the transport strike last month will stay.
The contingency measures include placing more than 600 vehicles on standby for free rides and strategic deployment and prepositioning of the vehicles in areas where commuters would likely be stranded.
The MMDA has long downplayed the effects of the transport strike.