THE Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) on Saturday said traffic management authorities are ready to support the riding public and motorists during the extended transport strike amid the Holiday rush.
MMDA chair Atty. Romando Artes assured that the inter-agency coordination with local government units is in place for the nationwide transport strike by PISTON and MANIBELA from Dec. 18 to 29, in an interview on Dobol B TV said.
“Kung sasabihin nila na two weeks ang kanilang tigil-pasada, two weeks din pong nakahanda tayo para i-minimize ‘yung inconvenience sa riding public,” Artes said.
PISTON and MANIBELA announced the new protest action on the second day of a two-day transport strike. They are rejecting the yearend deadline of the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) to consolidate public utility vehicle (PUV) operators, expressing frustration with the government’s rollout of its transport modernization program.
One measure to mitigate the impact of the transport strike, Artes said, is to provide free rides in areas where many commuters are monitored to have difficulty securing transportation.
“Hanggang kailangan po, ang ating gobyerno po ay nakahandang tumugon kung sakaling tumuloy ang tigil-pasada. Mayroon tayong inter-agency task force para sa tigil pasada … na tumutugon kung may pangangailangan ng mga sasakyan. [Sa mga lugar na] may mga naiipon na pasahero, agad naman tayong nagdidipatsa ng libreng sakay,” Artes said.
Artes said the MMDA will deploy over 2,000 traffic enforcers for the Christmas rush, with a “no leave, no absence” policy in effect for its personnel.
Bulk of the MMDA deployment will be in the evening as shoppers are expected to troop to the malls for late-night shopping.
