fails to paralyze Metro Manila transport

by EmmanuEl Tupas and Bella Cariaso Philstar.com

MANILA — The first day of the transport strike organized by Manibela on Monday, July 24, which coincided with the second State of the Nation Address (SONA) of President Marcos, did not paralyze public transportation in Metro Manila, according to the Philippine National Police (PNP).

Col. Jean Fajardo, spokesperson for the PNP, said there were no stranded commuters due to the transport strike.

“We did not monitor stranded passengers,” Fajardo said in a Viber message.

Manibela president Mar Valbuena, however, declared the first day of the three-day strike as successful.

Valbuena said aside from Metro Manila, transport strikes were also staged in Bulacan, Pampanga, Pangasinan, Rizal and Tarlac.

“We have strike centers in Manila, particularly in Onyx, as well as in Pasay, Parañaque and in Muñoz, Quezon City,” Valbuena said.

He has said at least 40,000 jeepney drivers would participate in the strike.

However, other transport groups opted not to join Manibela’s effort to paralyze public transportation in Metro Manila and other provinces.

Police deployed mobility vehicles to assist commuters.

PNP chief Gen. Benjamin Acorda Jr. earlier urged Manibela not to push through with the transport strike.

According to Valbuena, Malacañang’s suspension of classes and work in government offices in Metro Manila is an admission that the mobilization could paralyze public transportation.

“When I read the memorandum circular from Malacañang, it’s obvious that the suspension was due to the transport strike as the effect of the typhoon has yet to be felt,” he said.

Valbuena said the Palace directive showed that the problem of the jeepney drivers had reached President Marcos.

“Commonwealth Avenue can be compared to a ghost town,” Valbuena said.

He also decried the alleged police harassment suffered by those who participated in the transport strike.

“Police removed our flags in the strike centers and forced our members to leave. Jeepney drivers in Novaliches who joined the strike were also harassed,” Valbuena said.

Members of Manibela held a caravan from the University of the Philippines in Diliman to Tandang Sora in Quezon City.

Valbuena accused the police of trying to make it appear that there was a commotion between the police and the protesters. “They did that for photo ops to justify that there was an untoward incident during the strike,” he said.

Valbuena said the group would decide if the three-day transport strike will continue until tomorrow.

Free rides

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) has deployed at least 17 military trucks, buses and coasters to provide free rides to commuters affected by the transport strike.

AFP spokesman Col. Medel Aguilar said the “libreng sakay” was initiated as support to the Department of Transportation and Metropolitan Manila Development Authority.

“This is also part of the AFP’s efforts to help ensure a peaceful SONA,” Aguilar said.

He said the vehicles providing free rides would be under the supervision of the military’s Joint Task Force National Capital Region.

In Taguig, the city government is offering free rides to commuters who may be affected by the planned threeday transport strike.

City hall said it would provide vehicles to pick up passengers along the Sta. Ana Plaza-San Joaquin route.

“The city government is ready if more vehicles are needed in other areas,” city hall said. (with reports from Michael Punongbayan, Daphne Galvez)