Majority of traditional public utility jeepney groups in Bacolod City are not joining the transport strike organized by the Malayang Alyansa ng Bus Employees at Laborers Para sa Karapatan sa Paggawa (Manibela) against the Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program (PUVMP) today.
These include the Federation of Bacolod City Drivers Association and Sentrong Samahang ng mga Tsuper at Operators, whose officials informed Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez they will continue to operate during the day of the strike.
The United Negros Drivers and Operators Center also said they will not participate in the “untat byahe”.
In Metro Manila, seven major transport groups will not join the planned nationwide strike on Monday, Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Benjamin Abalos Jr. said on Sunday.
Abalos said leaders of the transport groups dubbed as “Magnificent 7” vowed continued operations and will not take part in the nationwide protest initiated by Manibela (Malayang Alyansa ng Bus Employees at Laborers Para sa Karapatan sa Paggawa) during their meeting at a restaurant in Quezon City.
“With this group, I’m very, very sure there will be no paralysis of traffic,” Abalos said, referring to 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).
He said 95 percent of the members of the seven groups nationwide have committed not to join the mass action.
“Sa kaalaman ng lahat, 95 percent ng transport groups. Ito’y iba-ibang sangay. Hindi sila kasama sa strike bukas [Monday] (For everyone’s information, 95 percent of the transport groups. These are different chapters. They won’t join the strike tomorrow),” Abalos said in a press briefing.
Nevertheless, the DILG chief said personnel of the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) will be deployed to assist those who will be affected by the mass action.
A multi-agency command center will be set up at the New MMDA head office in Pasig City to monitor the situation.
Vehicles have also been prepositioned at strategic areas and are ready to be dispatched when necessary. | with reports from PNA
