Gov't prepares contingency plans for 3-day transport strike
Published Jul 18, 2023 07:43 am
Authorities have prepared contingency plans for the three-day transport strike that will start on July 24, the scheduled date of the second State of the Nation Address (SONA) of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos, Jr.
Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) acting chairman Don Artes said various government agencies and heads of traffic bureaus, especially in the National Capital Region (NCR) have already laid down plans to cushion the impact of the July 24-26 transport strike that will be spearheaded by transport group Manibela.
Senior Deputy Executive Secretary Hubert Guevarra and MMDA chairperson Don Artes preside the meeting of various government agencies and heads of traffic bureaus in Metro Manila to come up with plans to counter the effects of the three-day transport strike from July 24 to 26, 2023. (photo: MMDA)
“The objective is to ensure that the commuting public will not be inconvenienced by the transport strike and provide traffic and security management since it will coincide with the SONA,” said Artes. Senior Deputy Executive Secretary Hubert Guevarra was among those who attended the inter-agency meeting to discuss the government’s response on the transport strike. "We request the LGUs to cooperate with the single dispatching system of the rescue assets at the MMDA Command Center on the day itself. During the last transport strike, we were able to monitor through the CCTV (closed circuit television) cameras the convergence of rallyists, and can easily call the PNP (Philippine National Police) to maintain peace and order," said Guevarra. Artes, for his part, said the team is also more than prepared because of the best practices and lessons learned from the previous transport strike held in March. "We were able to address the needs of the riding public before because of the united efforts of the government with agencies and 17 Metro Manila local government units," said Artes. Artes said inter-agency monitoring of the situation as well as maintaining order on affected routes will be at the newly inaugurated MMDA Communications and Command Center (MMDA CCC) at the MMDA Head Office in Pasig City. At least 12 transport groups have already issued a statement that they will not join the transport strike. The Philippine National Police (PNP), on the other hand, said it will deploy vehicles in areas that would be affected by the strike.
Senior Deputy Executive Secretary Hubert Guevarra and MMDA chairperson Don Artes preside the meeting of various government agencies and heads of traffic bureaus in Metro Manila to come up with plans to counter the effects of the three-day transport strike from July 24 to 26, 2023. (photo: MMDA)
“The objective is to ensure that the commuting public will not be inconvenienced by the transport strike and provide traffic and security management since it will coincide with the SONA,” said Artes. Senior Deputy Executive Secretary Hubert Guevarra was among those who attended the inter-agency meeting to discuss the government’s response on the transport strike. "We request the LGUs to cooperate with the single dispatching system of the rescue assets at the MMDA Command Center on the day itself. During the last transport strike, we were able to monitor through the CCTV (closed circuit television) cameras the convergence of rallyists, and can easily call the PNP (Philippine National Police) to maintain peace and order," said Guevarra. Artes, for his part, said the team is also more than prepared because of the best practices and lessons learned from the previous transport strike held in March. "We were able to address the needs of the riding public before because of the united efforts of the government with agencies and 17 Metro Manila local government units," said Artes. Artes said inter-agency monitoring of the situation as well as maintaining order on affected routes will be at the newly inaugurated MMDA Communications and Command Center (MMDA CCC) at the MMDA Head Office in Pasig City. At least 12 transport groups have already issued a statement that they will not join the transport strike. The Philippine National Police (PNP), on the other hand, said it will deploy vehicles in areas that would be affected by the strike.