The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) has not deployed any assets or rescue vehicles assigned to assist passengers in connection with the transportation strike on Monday.
The agency stated that members of the group Malayang Alyansa ng Bus Employees at Laborers (Manibela) failed to paralyze the transport system in Metro Manila during the first day of their three-day protest against the implementation of the public transport modernization program.
MMDA chief information officer Sharon Gentalian said there was no asset deployment on Monday and the strike had no impact.
“The MMDA did not dispatch Libreng Sakay. The transport strike causes no impact,” she said.
MMDA Chairman Don Artes said a single dispatch system for rescue assets was put in place at the MMDA Command Center.
These assets, including buses and vehicles marked with “Libreng Sakay,” will be utilized from 6 a.m. to 9 a.m. and from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. to provide assistance to passengers who will be affected by the strike.
Artes said many jeepney drivers did not join the protest.
“Again, we’re not deploying our assets because many jeepney drivers did not join the strike,” said Artes, adding that the deployment would result in drivers losing income as passengers may take advantage of the “libreng sakay.”
“That’s why we have a single dispatch system, and we will only send out buses when necessary.”
Meanwhile, the Road Emergency Operations at the MMDA Communications and Command Center is currently monitoring through closed circuit television (CCTVs) cameras the situation on the second day of the transport strike.
Early in the day, the MMDA monitored protesters seen in various locations, including the areas of Shell, Gulod Novaliches, Quezon City; Alabang Zapote Junction in Muntinlupa City; Caruncho Avenue in Pasig City; Sta Ana (Lambingan) in Manila, and Evacom Puregold in Parañaque City.
Artes said he and other MMDA officials will continue to monitor the traffic situation on major streets in Metro Manila and assured that any passengers who get stranded as a result of the strike are guaranteed to have access to transportation, as their rescue vehicles are on standby and will be immediately dispatched when needed.