DILG says transport strike to have little impact to commuters

The Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) assured that the transport strike tomorrow set by Manibela will have minimal impact on commuters.

In press conference, DILG Secretary Benjamin Abalos Jr. said that such effect is expected as 95 percent of the groups will continue to operate following his meeting with leaders of Pasang Masda, the Alliance of Transport Operators and Drivers Association of the Philippines (Altodap), Pinagkaisang Samahan ng mga Tsuper at Opereytors Nationwide (Piston), Alliance of Concerned Transport Organization (ACTO), Federation of Jeepney Operators and Drivers Association of the Philippines (Fejodap), Stop and Go, and Liga ng Transportasyon at Operators ng Pilipinas (LTOP) as well as with UV Express Group known as Mighty One.

While claiming such, Abalos noted that the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority, Land Transportation Office, Department of Transportation, and the police are still preparing contingency measures.

According to the interior and local government secretary, a multi-agency command center will be put up at the new MMDA Head Office in Pasig City to monitor the situation during the transport strike. Aside from that, vehicles — ready to be dispatched if necessary — shall be positioned at strategic locations.

Meanwhile, MMDA Acting Chairman Atty. Romando Artes said that the agency is anticipating the same impression following the previous two strikes staged by the same group. "Hindi magpapa-hostage ang pamahalaan sa taong pansariling interes lang ang isinusulong (The government will not be held hostage by someone who only promotes their own interests)," he said.

Meanwhile, leaders of the transport groups who met with Abalos thanked the Secretary for his commitment to address their concerns.

For one, Pasang Masda President Obet Martin said their groups are one with the government in pushing for transport reforms nationwide.

"Nananawagan kami sa lahat ng mga members namin sa buong bansa; ayaw nating pahirapan ang ating mga mananakay. Hindi po tayo kasali sa strike bukas. Sa halip, kaisa tayo ng gobyerno sa pagpapaunlad ng transportasyon sa ating bansa (We call on all our members across the country; we don't want to torture our riders. We will not participate in the strike tomorrow. Instead, we are united with the government in the development of transportation in our country)," Martin said.

Aside from the scheduled demonstration, Abalos said that the meeting with the transport groups was able to discuss concerns surrounding bribery.

"We will create a technical working group to address the issues being raised by our transport group leaders," he said.

"Ang ating mahal na Pangulo ay masaya po sa ating partnership na ito dahil marami tayong napag-usapan at nakikita natin ang importansya ng dayalogo (our beloved president is happy with our partnership because we discuss a lot and see the importance of dialogue)," he added.

Photos from Benhur Abalos Facebook page

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