MMDA to offer 'Libreng Sakay' amid transport trike on March 19
The Metro Manila Development Authority said that it will deploy vehicles for the "libreng sakay" initiative for passengers affected by the nationwide transport strike on Thursday, March 19.
MMDA general manager Nicholas Torre III said the agency is closely coordinating with security forces and other government units to help lessen the impact of the strike on passengers.
“MMDA is closely coordinating with the security forces para sa kung ano man ang mga logistics na kanilang kailangan para ma-alleviate ang impact nitong tigil-pasada,” Torre said at Kapihan sa Manila Hotel forum on Wednesday, March 18.
“In particular, we are readying our buses and other transport vehicles para makapagbigay ng libreng sakay,” he added.
Transport group PISTON (Pagkakaisa ng mga Samahan ng Tsuper at Operator Nationwide) announced on Monday that they will mount a nationwide transport strike on March 18 to call out the government’s "useless" and "slow" response to rising fuel prices amid the tensions in the Middle East due to the US-Iran war.
Some of their grievances include promised P5,000 financial aid that is not enough, lack of fuel price regulation, and that the four-day work week will do more harm than good to both the drivers and commuters.
"Mayroon tayong magagawa sa krisis na ito. Ang welga at protestang bayan ang subok nating sandata upang maitulak ang kagyat na kahilingan ng mamamayan, at masingil ang inutil na gobyerno. Sa sama-samang militanteng pagkilos, sa welga at protestang bayan, pinapakita natin na ang kapangyarihan ay nasa atin, nasa mamamayan," they wrote.
Meanwhile, the Philippine National Police said on Tuesday that they are also ready to ensure peace and order for the scheduled transport strike. PNP chief Gen. Jose Nartatez Jr. said that he has ordered local police chiefs to coordinate with strike organizers to maintain that all planned protest actions remain orderly, as well as to prepare police vehicles for the "Libreng Sakay" program.
This week, fuel prices saw another double-digit hike, ranging from P12.90 to P16.60 for gasoline per liter and P20.40 to P23.90 for diesel per liter. Provincial buses have announced their fare increases that took effect on March 14, while the jeepney fares will have a new minimum of P14 starting March 19.
