Weeklong class suspension looms if transport strike continues

Malacañang is eyeing a weeklong suspension of classes in Metro Manila if the transport group Pinagkaisang Samahan ng mga Tsuper at Operator Nationwide (Piston) will continue its nationwide transport strike.

Piston held another transport strike on Monday to protest the jeepney modernization program of the government.

“If and when Piston pushes through with its threat to continue its nationwide strike, despite its unsuccessful staging today, we will call for a class suspension in Metro Manila starting tomorrow, March 20 until Friday, March 23,” Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said in a statement.

Roque said it was up to the other local government units (LGUs) affected by the strike to suspend classes in their respective areas.

“We appeal for patience and understanding, especially those commuters who were duly inconvenienced by the strike,” he said.

He, however, said the government remained “committed to modernize our public utility vehicles.”

“We see this as one of the long-term solutions to decongest our streets with dilapidated and smoke-belching jeepneys,” he said. /je