FILE PHOTO: Jeepneys ferry passengers along Commonwealth Avenue in Quezon City on Tuesday, August 22, 2023. INQUIRER/GRIG C. MONTEGRANDE
MANILA, Philippines — Several cities in Metro Manila offer free rides or “Libreng Sakay” to commuters on Monday as drivers and operators stage a nationwide public transport strike.
The Manila Public Information Office (MPIO) said 20 e-trikes, two mobile transport vehicles, three SUVs, two Manila Police Department (MPD) transporters, and 16 MPD patrol vehicles are on standby to move affected commuters.
It also said that the local government is specifically monitoring routes that may be affected by the strike, namely San Juan-Divisoria, Blumentritt-Novaliches, Nagtahan-Paco, Divisoria-Cubao, Morayta-Divisoria and Balic Balic-Quiapo.
READ: DILG plays down transport strike
Meanwhile, Quezon City deployed its Q City Bus service in terminals located in Philcoa, Litex, and Araneta-E. Rodriguez.
The cities of Pasig, Malabon, Caloocan, and Valenzuela dispatched vehicles offering free rides for their constituents.
READ: LIST: Class suspensions due to October 16 transport strike
On October 9, transport group Manibela announced its plan to hold a nationwide strike in protest of alleged corruption in the transportation sector and to stop the Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program.