Palace: Only ‘handful of routes’ in Metro Manila affected by transport strike

INQUIRER COMPOSITE IMAGE: DANIELLA MARIE AGACER FROM AFP AND INQUIRER.NET FILE PHOTOS

MANILA, Philippines — Malacañang noted on Monday that just “a handful of routes” in Metro Manila are being affected by the strike of a transport group, which has been protesting the looming phaseout of traditional jeepneys.

The Presidential Communications Office (PCO) said this is based on reports received by the Palace from the Department of Transportation (DOTr), Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB), the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA), and the Philippine National Police (PNP).

“There is no disruption except in a handful of routes in the National Capital Region (NCR) amid the ongoing transport group strike,” it said in a statement.

As of 10 a.m., the Edsa busway carousel “has not been impacted” by the strike and is currently operating “smoothly with a low passenger volume observed at all stations,” the PCO said, adding that the government has provided free rides for commuters affected by the transport strike.

It then assured the public that the government has enough assets and personnel to respond to the needs of the commuting public.

For instance, according to the PCO, police personnel facilitated the ferrying of affected passengers from Almar Subdivision in Caloocan City going to Quezon City while other government authorities deployed vehicles to cater to passengers on the Dapitan-Baclaran route.

Also, the PCO said, the government prepositioned buses offering free rides in Pasay City, Marikina City, Caloocan City, and Quezon City as early as 4 a.m. on Monday, the beginning of the week-long strike declared by an alliance of public utility drivers named Manibela.

READ: Week-long transport strike on March 6 will continue, says Manibela

Around 6 a.m. in Calabarzon, authorities reported that some 30 passengers were stranded at the SM-Crossing Calamba Terminal in the City of Calamba in Laguna province. But jeepneys plying the Calamba- Biñan route and Calamba-Pacita Complex route are operating normally, according to the PCO.

Malacañang said at least 11 major jeepney and UV (utility vehicle) organizations in Metro Manila have expressed their strong opposition to Manibela’s strike.

LIVE UPDATES: Face-to-face classes, work suspended as transport strike looms

Transport strike updates

Striking transport groups, meanwhile, reported progress of their strike, claiming 70% to 100% paralyzation of routes.

PISTON and the No To PUV Phaseout Coalition released the following data based on their monitoring as of 10 a.m., Monday:

Metro Manila

• Baclaran Metrobank route – 90%
• E Rodriguez (Cubao-Quiapo, Kalaw-Proj 2-3) – 99.9%
• Novaliches-Blumentritt – 80%
• Pasay – 90%
• Navotas to Divisoria, Recto, Monumento, Malabon – 100%
• Pateros-Pasig – 100%
• Antipolo at Junction Crossing – 90%
• Cogeo-Cubao – 80%

Calabarzon

• Zapote-Paliparan – 100%
• Palapala-Imus – 70%
• Los Baños-Calamba – 95%
• Calamba – 80%
• Cabuyao – 80%

They also said there are almost no PUVs plying in Sta. Rosa, Laguna and on the route from Sta. Cruz to Calamba and Siniloan.

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