MMDA, AFP deploy vehicles to pick up stranded passengers
MANILA, Philippines—The Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) will deploy trucks on Thursday afternoon to give free rides to passengers paralyzed by the mass transport strike in Metro Manila.
Transport strike leaves many stranded PHOTO/INQUIRER.net
MMDA said it would again deploy its trucks in the metropolis to accommodate the number of stranded passenger.
On Thursday morning, thousands of commuters were left stranded as transport groups held a transport strike to protest the implementation of higher penalties on “colorum” vehicles imposed by the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB).
Jun Magno, President of the transport group The Stop and Go, warned that they would stage more mass transport strike if the LTFRB would not listen to their plea.
Meanwhile, the Armed Forces of the Philippines launched free rides for stranded commuters due to a transport strike in Metro Manila on Thursday, June 19.
“A total of 28 vehicles from the Army, Air Force, Navy, General Headquarters and Joint Task Force-NCR were made available for the operations; 11 of which were already deployed to different places in Metro Manila,” military spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Ramon Zagala said in a statement.
The following assets were deployed:
-three KM450 trucks and two Isuzu Elf were deployed for Monumento-Pasay and Rotonda via Edsa
-three M35 trucks from Air Force for Monumento-Trinoma via Edsa
-three trucks from the General Headquarters were placed under the the disposition of Metro Manila Development Authority
-12 M35 trucks from the Army and Navy
“Military personnel will also be deployed to each vehicle to assist in loading and unloading, and ensure the safety and security of the passengers on board,” Zagala said.
The AFP also expressed its readiness to provide further support to the MMDA and Philippine National Police when the need arises.
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