What is happening outside Metro Manila during the nationwide transport strike

MANILA, Philippines – (UPDATED) Will the nationwide transport strike scheduled on Monday to Tuesday, October 16 and 17, affect the whole country?

Various local government units within and outside Metro Manila are gearing for the worst-case scenario, preparing to assist commuters who will be stranded on the road.

Malacañang has even suspended classes at all levels and government work nationwide on Monday and Tuesday due to the transport strike.

According to the national transport group Pinagkaisang Samahan ng mga Tsuper at Operator Nationwide (PISTON), thousands of jeepney operators and drivers from the following provinces and areas will join the transport strike: Isabela province, Metro Baguio, Pampanga, Bulacan, Laguna, Quezon, Batangas, Albay, Camarines Sur, Sorsogon, Masbate, Cebu, Cagayan De Oro, Iligan, Bukidnon, Gensan, Davao City, Butuan City and the Surigao provinces.

However, drivers in the two major metropolitan areas in the Visayas and Mindanao – Cebu and Davao – are not joining the second day of the nationwide transport strike against the government’s planned jeepney modernization program.

Here’s a rundown of what will happen outside Metro Manila for the nationwide transport strike.

Luzon

Drivers in Bicol – belonging to Condor Piston Bicol and the No to Jeepney Phase Out Coalition – are expected to join the nationwide coordinated transport strike on Monday.

To assist stranded commuters, Albay Governor Al Francis Bichara said there will be “libreng sakay” or free rides to ply the Daraga-Legazpi routes. Free rides will also be provided for commuters who will be travelling to Tiwi and Polangui.  

In his advisory, Bichara also suggested “early marketing and buying” of food and medicine.

Cabuyao Mayor Mel Gecolea also announced that the local government unit will be deploying afew vehicles around the Laguna town to assist stranded commuters. 

“The route is [from the] boundary of Cabuyao-Calamba and [the] boundary of Cabuyao-Sta. Rosa,” Mayor Gecolea said. 

Visayas

Despite assurance from the transport group Piston Cebu that it does not seek to cripple the transport system in Cebu, the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) in Central Visayas will be providing alternative rides for passengers who might get stranded on Monday and Tuesday.

According to LTFRB, bus companies have also pledged to field buses that can travel out of line to serve strike-affected passengers at a special fare of P10.

On the first day of the strike, 15 buses will be deployed for stranded commuters. Meanwhile, Lapu-Lapu City will be mobilizing barangay vehicles and buses at two transport terminals in Cebu City.

“In coordination with the LTFRB, we are also deploying vehicles to assist in the possible shortage of public transport as cancellation of work in the private sector remains to be the discretion of their respective management,” Mandaue City Mayor Luigi R. Quisumbing also said in his post.

Meanwhile, transports groups in Western Visayas said they will not be participating in the nationwide transport strike. According to reports, local transport groups in Iloilo City will instead hold a “transport caravan protest” from terminal to terminal.

Mindanao

Hundreds of jeepneys and tricycles are expected to suspend operations in 47 routes in Davao City on the first day of the strike.

Acoording to reports, Ricardo Baron of the Tranmision-Piston said that the transport strike will paralyze up to 90% of transportation in Davao.

To help stranded passengers, Davao City Mayor Inday Sara Duterte said that they will be deploying buses to assist passengers.

“Let us all take this opportunity to observe the streets with less jeepneys and more buses as envisioned in the High Priority Bus system project for the Dabawenyos,” the Davao City mayor said in a post on her Facebook page.

Davao City Mayor Inday Sara Duterte also reminded the public that “crimes committed during the strike will not be tolerated,” encouraging protesters to be peaceful during their protest action. – Rappler.com