MMDA: Coding scheme stays despite 2-day transport strike

BACK ON THE ROAD Traditional jeepneys ply their route along Philcoa in Commonwealth Avenue, Quezon city on Tuesday, March 7, 2023 as the second day of the transport strike by some transport groupa are ongoing. (INQUIRER file photo dated March 7, 2023 / GRIG C. MONTEGRANDE)

MANILA, Philippines — Amid a looming two-day transport strike nationwide, Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) will not suspend the number coding scheme from December 14 to 15 (Thursday and Friday).

“Kapag nag-suspend tayo, sa ngayon pa lang po, mabigat ang daloy ng traffic,” said MMDA acting chair Don Artes made the assessment in a press conference on Wednesday.

(If we suspend it right now, the traffic flow is already heavy.)

“Alam naman po natin ‘yung epekto ng suspension ng number coding — additional 20 percent ‘yan ng sasakyan sa lansangan, so makaka-apekto po ‘yan sa turnaround time ng ating pampublikong transportasyon,” Artes explained.

(We are aware of the effect of the suspension of number coding — it adds another 20 percent to the volume of vehicles on the road, so that will have an impact on the turnaround time in our public transportation.)

“So hindi po kami magsu-suspend ng number coding (we will not suspend the number coding),” he announced the agency’s decision.

Artes recalled while previous strikes did not cripple the public transportation system, MMDA and other agencies concerned have already begun preparations for the strike this week.

“Naghahanda pa rin [kami] dahil ‘yan po ay serbisyo na kailangan ibigay sa kababayan to ensure na minimal ‘yung impact and inconvenience sa riding public,” he said.

(We are still preparing because that is a service that needs to be provided to the citizens to ensure that the impact and inconvenience to the riding public are minimal.)

The MMDA head identified Camanava (Caloocan,Malabon, Navotas and Valenzuela) and Parañaque as the crucial points for monitoring, based on past strikes.

More or less 686 government vehicles are on standby to raise the number of vehicles that can serve commuters in areas where there will be shortage of public vehicles.

“Magbibigay po tayo ng augmentation kung sakaling kailangan at kung may makitang stranded na pasahero ay ating tutugunan,” said Artes.

(We will provide augmentation if necessary, and we will respond if we will see a stranded passenger.)

Pagkakaisa ng mga Samahan ng Tsuper at Opereytor Nationwide or Piston is set to hold a nationwide transport strike again to oppose the December 31 deadline for franchise consolidation of public utility vehicles.