Free rides cushion impact of transport strike in Metro Manila

MANILA – Around 600 drivers stopped operations in Metro Manila as of Monday afternoon, the first of a planned three-day transport strike in protest of the public utility vehicle modernization program.

The National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) said it deployed 48 vehicles to aid commuters, while “libreng sakay” (free ride) services of local government units and other state agencies cushioned the impact of the protest action.

NCRPO chief Maj. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. said they also have 56 reserved vehicles on standby while 5,080 personnel from the Civil Disturbance Management contingents and Reactionary Standby Support Force secured passenger pickup and dropoff points and transportation hubs.

“Sa kabuuan, mayroon tayong 602 personnel na idineploy sa mga border control point sa Metro Manila upang magsagawa ng checkpoints (We have 602 personnel deployed at border control points in Metro Manila to conduct checkpoints),” Nartatez said in a statement, adding no violence or hostilities were reported.

Members of the Pagkakaisa ng mga Samahan ng Tsuper at Operator Nationwide are leading the protest