On December 4 and 5, transport groups will have another nationwide strike in protest of the pending PUV modernization. The said announcement has prompted some local government unit to declare class suspension on the said date.
To help commuters who will be affected by the said transport strike, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority will offer free bus rides. Staging areas will be set up at SM Marikina, Lunate Parade Ground in Manila, HK Town Plaza in Pasay City, Technohub and Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City.
“The (four buses) will be deployed in coordination with the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board, Land Transportation Office, Highway Patrol Group and the Philippine National Police and other government agencies,” said MMDA Assistant General Manager Jojo Garcia.
The P2P buses will be organized so that commuters will not be affected of the transport strike. The Metrobase Command Center will also monitor the situation to see where help is needed. The MMDA will also deploy government and private vehicles to assist stranded commuters during the transport strike.
According to Garcia, Malacañang has the option to suspend classes or government work once the transport groups push through their planned strike.
Meanwhile, the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) do not recommend the suspension of classes claiming the Joint Quick Response Team is capable of handling the strikes. LTFRB Board Member Aileen Lizada expressed concern over students missing classes due to the previous holidays.
The Joint Quick Response Team (JQRT) — composed of the LTFRB, MMDA, Armed Forces of the Philippines, Philippine National Police, Department of Transportation, Philippine Coast Guard, Department of Public Works and Highways, Office of Transport Security will set its command and control base at the MMDA Metrobase in Makati City.
LTFRB will deploy a total of 22 buses to various parts of Metro Manila. Non-airconditioned buses will charge Php10 while air-conditioned buses will charge Php12.