Malacañang assured the public that the government is prepared to address any inconvenience that might be caused by the ongoing strike of the transport group Manibela.

In a press briefing on Monday, March 24, Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro said the strike has yet to harm the commuting public.

"Sa ngayong kasalukuyan, ay hindi pa naman po apektado yung mga commuters natin (At present, the commuters are not affected)," she said.

"Lalo't lalo na po talaga naman pong handa ang ating pamahalaan, ang administrasyon, na tumulong sa anumang pwedeng maging inconvenience sa mga commuters (Especially since the government is prepared to address any inconvenience on commuters)," she added.

The government has offered free rides and deployed more buses and trains to arrest the effects of the three-day transport strike.

Despite this, Castro appealed to Manibela to have a dialogue with the new Department of Transportation (DOTr) leadership under Secretary Vince Dizon.

"Hindi lamang po ang pamahalaan ang maaaring magkaroon ng— kung baga yung impact hindi lamang po sa pamahalaan kundi mismo sa mga commuters (This will not only affect the government but the commuters as well)," she said.

"Alalahanin po natin ang mga commuters ay inosente po at nalalagay lamang po sa gitna... Sana huwag na po nating madamay ang mga commuters dito (Let us remember that the commuters who are innocent are caught in the middle. We hope we no longer involve the commuters in this)," she added.