The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority is preparing for a planned transport protest by the Malayang Alyansa ng Bus Employees at Laborers (Manibela) on Tuesday.
“The assets of MMDA local government units and other govt agencies are ready. The inter-agency monitoring team has also been activated,” said MMDA chief information officer Sharon Gentalian.
In case of a jeepney strike, the MMDA will monitor the condition of the streets at the command center as early as 5 a.m. while personnel are instructed to intensify traffic management and assist in crowd
control in areas where protests would be held.
MMDA chairman Romando Artes ordered his men to prepare for the deployment of assets and vehicles from local government units and barangays to strategic areas in the event of a transport strike.
The agency has over 20 assets ready to assist passengers in need.
But Manibela clarified that it will hold a “transport protest” and not a “transport strike” against the government’s Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program (PUVMP).
The group, led by Mar Valbuena, is expected to gather around 10,000 to 15,000 operators and drivers. The protest will begin at the University of the Philippines-Diliman in Quezon City and continue to Mendiola in
Manila.
The protest rally will also be joined by other transport groups.
Artes acknowledged the fact that transport strikes had been successful in the past paralyzing public transportation in Metro Manila and other urban areas across the country, sometimes leading to class
suspensions.
But in recent years, he said, they observed minimal effects due to strategic planning to cushion the impact, including the deployment of vehicles for libreng sakay or free rides.
Meanwhile, the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority expressed its full support to the Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program.
“Further, we understand that there are individuals whose livelihoods have been or will be affected by this initiative in one way or another. In line with this, TESDA has been implementing its Tsuper Iskolar Scholarship Program with the DOTr since 2019. For 2023, a Php 300 million fund was transferred to TESDA for this scholarship program.
Under the Tsuper Iskolar program, drivers, operators, and their family members who have been displaced or otherwise affected by the PUVMP are entitled to free tech-voc skills training, assessment, and certification. They shall also receive a training allowance of Php
350/day (for a maximum of 35 days).”
“We encourage our kababayans to approach any TESDA office to check where they can avail of the Tsuper Iskolar program and take this opportunity to learn new skills that will empower them to start a new
career or engage in entrepreneurial activities.
At TESDA, we believe that the PUVMP will be able to address the country’s prevailing transport issues and future demands, and ultimately, the whole nation will be able to benefit from an improved and strengthened transportation system.”