ELECTRIC TRICYCLES. The Manila City government provides electronic tricycles or e-trikes to serve affected passengers during the first day of a nationwide transport strike in Metro Manila on Monday (Oct. 16, 2023). Overall, Manila's Oplan Libreng Sakay services, including these e-trikes, have served over 5,000 passengers that day. (PNA photo/Yancy Lim)
MANILA – The Manila Public Information Office (PIO) on Tuesday reported having served 5,465 affected commuters during the first day of the transport strike.
In a Viber message, Manila PIO Chief Princess Abante said most of the passengers, or around 4,891 individuals, were served by the Manila Traffic And Parking Bureau (MTPB).
The Manila Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (MDRRMO) also served 373 commuters, while the Manila Police District (MPD) transported 201 passengers, she added.
Abante said the Libreng Sakay vehicles are still on standby, in support of public utility vehicles (PUVs) not joining the ongoing nationwide transport strike which started Monday.
"Considering na marami rin pong pumapasada (na PUVs), ayaw din ni Mayor (Honey Lacuna) na umagaw sa mga naghahanap-buhay na drivers yung mga libreng sakay vehicles kaya on standby po kami (Considering that many PUVs are operating, Mayor Honey Lacuna doesn't want the Libreng Sakay vehicles to affect the income of drivers, that's why we're on standby)," she said.
Abante assured commuters of the continuous availability of free-ride vehicles until the conclusion of the transport strike.
Among the routes of the free rides are Pureza- San Juan; V. Mapa-San Juan; San Juan - Divisoria; Blumentritt - Novaliches; Nagtahan - Paco; Divisoria - Cubao; Morayta - Divisoria; Balic-Balic - Quiapo; Zobel Roxas - Paco (Dulo); and San Andres - Faura.
On Monday, the Manila LGU deployed electric tricycles, mobile transport, sport utility vehicles from the Manila Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office, Manila Police District (MPD) transporters, and MPD patrol vehicles, among others.
The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority, meanwhile, said the transport strike failed to paralyze the transport operations within Metro Manila during the first day.
The Malayang Alyansa ng Bus Employees at Laborers Para sa Karapatan sa Paggawa launched the nationwide strike on Monday.
However, the "Magnificent Seven" including the Pasang Masda, Alliance of Transport Operators and Drivers Association of the Philippines, Pagkakaisa ng mga Samahan ng Tsuper at Opereytor Nationwide, Alliance of Concerned Transport Organizations, Federation of Jeepney Operators and Drivers Association of the Philippines, Stop and Go Transport Coalition, and Liga ng Transportasyon at Operators sa Pilipinas did not join the protest. (PNA)
