Drivers and operators under the group Samahang Manibela Mananakay at Nagkaisang Terminal ng Transportasyon (Manibela) assemble at the University of the Philippines as they begin their transport protest on January 16, 2024. Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News/File

MANILA -- The Metro Manila Council (MMC) is ready to provide transportation to commuters who will be affected by the two-day nationwide transport strike which will start Monday, April 15. 

MMC President and San Juan Mayor Francis Zamora said they already have stand-by government vehicles, should transportation problems arise. 

“Handa naman kami, but also if I may share, kadalasan naman po hindi naman namin kinakailangang gamitin ang sasakyan. Just in case lang po na talagang magkaroon ito ng epekto sa transportasyon tsaka lang namin ginagamit,” he said. 

He has also coordinated with the National Capital Region Police  Office (NCRPO) chief to provide additional police personnel during the two-day strike to ensure safety of those operators who will not join the transport strike. 

Manibela, PISTON announce transport strike from April 15  

“Tayo po ang nakipag-ugnayan rin sa NCRPO. In fact, I have coordinated with General [Jose] Nartatez to ensure the safety of everyone, sapagkat nagkakaroon minsan ng mga pangyayari kung saan merong mga hina-harass na mga hindi sumasama sa tigil-pasada,” he added. 

Meanwhile, some jeepney drivers who will join the strike on Monday said they need to double their efforts to earn beyond their daily earnings to compensate for the two days that they won't be able to earn due to the strike.

 “Bago pa nagi-ipon na kami para masagawa namin ang kilos protesta,” jeepney driver Macario Gingo said. 

But there are some drivers who will not join the strike, like Jun Mandarlipe. 

“Ramdan namin ang kanilang mga hinaing. Ganoon din naman kami, pagkakaiba lang namin, nasa coop talaga kami noon pa. Pero 'yung pamamasada, ramdam namin kung gaano kahirap 'yung pamamalakad ngayon,” he said. 

PISTON is confident that the transport strike will paralyze the transportation in Metro Manila since many transport members had signified their intent to join. 

Another transport strike vs franchise consolidation 

“Kung sa member ng PISTON at MANIBELA ay 100 percent na lalahok, ito at maraming mga nagkooperatiba na at nag korporasyon na nagpa-abot sa atin na sila ay handang lumahok ngayong [Abril] 15. At hindi lang ito jeep -- pati mga UV, multicab at nagpaabot na rin dito yung ilang mga motorcycle taxi na nabiktima rin ng programang ito,” PISTON President Mody Floranda said. 

Aside from Metro Manila, transport group in the regions will also join the strike according to Floranda. Those who signified, according to Floranda, were from Bicol Region, Iloilo, Cebu, Davao, General Santos, Bacolod and Baguio City. 

PISTON and MANIBELA are calling to junk the Public Utility Vehicle Modernization program.

The consolidation of public utility jeepney operators is set to end this April.

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