MMDA ready to provide aid amid transport protest

Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) chairperson Romando Artes assured the public on Monday that it is ready to provide augmentation amid the planned protest of transport groups on Tuesday, January 16.

At a Palace press briefing, it was asked whether government agencies will recommend suspension of classes due to the transport protest scheduled on Tuesday.

Artes said there was minimal complaint from commuters during previous transport strikes as concerned government agencies, including the MMDA, were able to provide assistance to the riding public.

"Noong nakaraan po na mayroong expressed declaration ng tigil pasada, hindi po tayo nagrekomenda ng suspension ng klase o trabaho dahil nga po tayo naman ay nakahanda to augment kung sakaling magkaroon ng disruptions sa public transportation,'' Artes said.

(Last time, we didn’t recommend any suspension of classes or work because we are ready to augment in case disruptions in the public transportation will take place.)

''Sabi nga po ni Chair Andy saka ni Chair Guadiz, paulit-ulit po ýung rally, nasanay na po kaming rumisponde, handa po kami at gagawin po namin ulit 'yun. At siguro naman po, na-observe ninyo noong nakaraang protesta or tigil pasada na wala po masyadong nagreklamo na sila po ay na-stranded dahil nakaresponde naman po tayo nang maayos,'' he added.

(Just like what Chair Andy and Chair Guadiz said, we are used to respond because of the repeated rallies. We are ready to do that again. Maybe you observed in the previous rallies that there were minimal complaints because we have responded properly.)

Artes said the MMDA would monitor the situation as early as 5 in the morning.

"We understand that this is not a tigil pasada [transport holiday] but a protest by the two transport groups. Just the same, we are ready to respond, we will monitor the situation as early as 5 a.m. tomorrow and in case there is a disruption in the public transportation system, we will augment, we are ready,” Artes said.

The protest will begin at the University of the Philippines–Diliman and head to Mendiola in Manila at 9 a.m.

The protest will end at the Supreme Court, where the transport groups will launch a short program. — RSJ, GMA Integrated News