By Alec Go
Malacañang said public utility vehicles (PUV) remain in normal operations without any disruption except in select routes during the first day of the week-long transport strike on Monday, March 6.
In a 10:00 a.m. update, Malacañang said the Epifanio de los Santos Avenue (EDSA) Busway Carousel was not affected by the transportation protest.
The updates were based on the reports of the Department of Transportation, Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB), Metropolitan Manila Development Authority, and the Philippine National Police.
Joel Bolano, Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board technical division head, said only “at least 10%” were affected as of 11:00 a.m.
“With the available rescue buses and Libreng Sakay, na-address po ,” he said.
“About the nationwide situation, only two areas in the county ang merong situation na katulad ng sa NCR [National Capital Region],” he added. “But the rest of the country as of 11 o’clock, normal po ‘yung kanilang situation sa kanilang public transport.”
Free rides have been provided by the government to aid affected commuters in Pasay, Marikina, Caloocan, and Quezon City.
Jeepneys plying the Calamba-Biñan route and the Calamba-Pacita Complex are in normal operations, according to Malacañang.
The LTFRB said there will be no increase in fare rates for rescue buses and UV Express units deployed in affected routes.
The transport strike was set to protest the implementation of the PUV modernization program. – gb