The Rizal provincial government is fully prepared to assist commuters who may be stranded due to the two-day transport strike spearheaded by transport groups Manibela and Piston on Monday, April 15, and Tuesday, April 16, according to Governor Nina Ynares.
"Huwag pong mag-alala ang mga Rizalenyo commuters sa malawakang transport strike ngayong April 15-16 dahil maagap po tayong nakipag-koordinasyon sa mga LGUs at mga local transport groups dito sa Rizal para masiguro na magiging sapat ang availability ng ating mga Public Utility Vehicles tulad ng Point-to-Point buses, UV Vans, at FX para sa mga Rizalenyo na papasok sa trabaho o sa paaralan (Rizalenyo commuters have nothing to worry about because we have proactively coordinated with the local government units and local transport groups here in Rizal to ensure the availability of Public Utility Vehicles such as Point-to-Point buses, UV Vans, and FX for Rizalenyos going to and from their work or school)," Ynares said.
"Handa rin ang ating mga LGUs na mag-provide ng libreng sakay sa ating mga commuters kung kinakailangan (Our LGUs are also prepared to provide free rides to commuters when needed)," she added.
The governor also noted the Department of Education's (DepEd) decision to implement asynchronous classes/distance learning set-up for all public schools nationwide for the duration of the transport strike.
Antipolo City Mayor Jun Ynares also assured that over 2,000 members of the Federation of Antipolo Public Transport Operators and Drivers Inc. will not join the strike and will continue to ply their routes.
The city government suspended the regular routes of its tricycles to increase available vehicles to transport the public to and from terminals, loading and unloading zones, and LRT stations.
Manibela and Piston had earlier announced the two-day transport strike to air their protest against the implementation of the Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program (PUVMP).
President Marcos had earlier said that there will be no more extension for PUV operators to consolidate into either a cooperative or corporation—a major requirement to get a franchise— after he allowed the final deadline extension to April 30 this year.