A protest organized by drivers and operators against the government’s Public Transportation Modernization Program (PTMP) had minimal impact on commuters Monday, according to the initial assessment of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA).
As of this posting, no disruptions were reported.
MMDA Chairman Romando Artes said various agencies and local government units came up with a plan in response to the three-day transport strike organized by members of the Malayang Alyansa ng Bus Employees at Laborers (Manibela).
A single dispatch system for rescue assets was put in place at the MMDA Command Center. These assets include buses and vehicles marked with “Libreng Sakay,” which provide assistance to the public from 6 a.m. to 9 a.m. and from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. along major thoroughfares in the city.
“Our assets, which include those from local government units (LGUs) and agencies like the Coast Guard, are prepositioned. We are not deploying the buses at this time because many jeepney drivers did not join the strike,” Artes explained.
“If we deployed the buses now, the drivers would lose income since riders might take advantage of the free service. That’s why we have a single dispatch system, and we will only send out buses when necessary. All our assets are currently on standby,” he added.
The MMDA is also not considering suspending the number coding scheme during the strike.
Artes acknowledged that the cities of Manila, Parañaque, Caloocan, and Pasig experienced disruptions during the previous strike. “Our monitoring efforts will continue, but so far, we haven’t observed any disruptions in these areas at the moment,” he said.
Despite the minimal effect on public transport operations, the protest led to the suspension of classes in some public and private schools in Metro Manila.
Under the government’s PTMP, all public utility vehicles (PUVs) that are over 15 years old will be phased out and replaced with new models equipped with automated fare collection systems, digital security and dashboard cameras, Wi-Fi internet connectivity, GPS tracking devices, and speed limiters.
The modernization program also aims to reform the franchising system to enhance control over and regulation of PUVs.
Fewer new franchises will be issued to PUV operators and drivers, who will be required to organize themselves into cooperatives or firms to strengthen accountability, enforcement, and compliance.
However, the protesters argue that this initiative threatens the livelihoods of many PUJ drivers and operators.