MMDA claims protest did not hamper public transportation

The transport strike led by Malayang Alyansa ng Bus Employees at Laborers (MANIBELA) had very minimal effect in public transport operations today, the leadership of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) shared.

In a press briefing, MMDA Acting Chairman Atty. Romando Artes said that no major disruption of public transportation in Metro Manila took place based on the agency’s monitoring as of 11 a.m.

“Kung ang purpose ng strike ay i-paralyze ang public transportation, nabigo po sila. Pero kung ang purpose nila ay magpapansin, siguro nagtagumpay sila sa ganoong aspeto. Nabigyan siya ng airtime, na-interview siya (If the purpose of the strike was to paralyze public transportation, they failed. But if their purpose is to attract attention, perhaps they have succeeded in that aspect. He was given airtime and was interviewed),” he added.

According to the MMDA, the group headed by Mar Valbuena is contesting the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board’s December 31 deadline for the consolidation of traditional jeepneys as part of the Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program (PUVMP).

Artes said that while there was passenger buildup in some areas, he said that it was only the usual Monday morning foot traffic.

Moreover, Artes said that the government was not intimidated by the threats of protests, explaining that free rides were offered to ensure that the strike will not inconvenience commuters.

“Hindi tayo magpapa-hostage sa ganyang pananakot. Ang cancellation ng klase ay call ng mga LGUs. Nag-online classes naman, hindi total cancellation (We will not be held hostage by such threats. Class cancellation is the call of the LGUs. There were online classes, so it’s not total cancellation,” Artes reiterated.

“Ang atin pong pamahalaan ay hindi puwedeng i-hostage ng banta ng economic sabotage at inconvenience ng commuting public lalong-lalo na kung ang dine-demand mo ay mali. Tandaan po natin, ang jeepney modernization ay inuutos ng batas. In fact, more than 70 percent na ang compliant diyan (Our government cannot be held hostage by the threat of economic sabotage and inconvenience to the commuting public, especially if what you are demanding is wrong. Let's remember, jeepney modernization is mandated by law. In fact, more than 70 percent are compliant with that).”

Further, the MMDA chief appealed for understanding as the agency did not suspend the expanded Unified Vehicular Volume Reduction Program (UVVRP) or number coding scheme.

“The decision of MMDA not to suspend the number coding scheme has yielded a positive result. Our aim is to avoid impeded traffic flow and to generate faster turn-around time of public transportation,” he explained.

Earlier, transport operators belonging to the “Magnificent 7” group made a commitment to MMDA officials that they will not be joining the transport strike that MANIBELA initiated. They are Pasang Masda, Alliance of Transport Operators and Drivers Association of the Philippines (Altodap), Pagkakaisa ng mga Samahan ng Tsuper at Opereytor Nationwide (Piston), Alliance of Concerned Transport Organizations (ACTO), Federation of Jeepney Operators and Drivers Association of the Philippines (Fejodap), Stop and Go Transport Coalition, and Liga ng Transportasyon at Operators sa Pilipinas (LTOP).

Photos from Metropolitan Manila Development Authority

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