MMDA to deploy trucks to provide free rides during transport strike

The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority on Friday said the strike planned by jeepney operators and allied groups on Oct. 16-17 will not paralyze the transport sector.

"Sa tuwing nagkakaroon ng transport strike, ang laging assessment ng LTFRB [Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board] eh hindi pa naman po nila (strikers) napaparalisa ang transport sectors, o 'yung ating mga commuters, nang ganun kalaki, kagaya ng inaasahan nila," said MMDA spokesperson Celine Pialago in an interview on News To Go.

Pialago said the MMDA will deploy trucks, ambulances, and rescue teams on the days of the strike, as well as provide free rides and personnel to assist stranded commuters.

The Pinagkaisang Samahan ng mga Tsuper at Operator Nationwide (PISTON) is set to hold the two-day strike nationwide beginning Monday to oppose the government's public utility vehicle (PUV) modernization program which they claim is a jeepney phaseout plan that would require the purchase of newer, more expensive models.

Among the groups supporting next week's transport strike are Kadamay, Migrante, League of Filipino Students, and Kilusang Mayo Uno.

Renato Reyes, secretary-general of left-leaning group Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan) said they are not against jeepney modernization, as long as it is "socially just" and not merely used for profit. —Nicole-Anne C. Lagrimas/KG, GMA News