Transport strike on; gov’t offices, schools closed
By Rosemarie A. Zamora
MALACAÑANG HAS declared a nationwide suspension of classes, both in public and private schools, as well as government work due to the anticipated nationwide transport strike on Monday, Oct. 16.
“Classes in all levels, both public and private schools, and government work, including those in the local government units and government-owned or -controlled corporations, will be suspended nationwide tomorrow, Oct. 16, 2017, to minimize public inconvenience arising from the planned nationwide transportation strike,” Presidential Spokesperson Ernesto C. Abella said in a statement on Sunday, citing the as-yet-to-be-released Memorandum Circular no. 28.
Mr. Abella added: “We, however, shall leave it to Congress, the Supreme Court, and the independent bodies/constitutional commissions to make their own declarations. We likewise leave it to private employers to make their own decisions.” he added. As of this writing Sunday afternoon, the Senate and the Supreme Court have also suspended work on Monday.
Last Friday, the local governments of Makati City in the National Capital Region and Davao City in Mindanao had ordered the suspension of classes, although this is now covered by the Palace directive.
Transport group Pagkakaisa ng mga Samahan ng Tsuper at Opereytor Nationwide (PISTON) will lead today’s strike, in response to the Department of Transportation’s (DoTr) planned Public Utility Vehicle (PUV) modernization program requiring the replacement of jeepneys at least 15 years already in use.
Under the program, the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) is tasked to conduct an annual updated inventory of said units.
The program calls for the use of Euro 4 engines or electrically powered engines with solar panels for roofs, closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras, GPS navigation system, Automatic Fare Collection System (AFCS), speed limiters, dashboard cameras, and Wi-Fi. Several transport groups say this program is anti-poor as the phaseout of each jeepney may cost P1 million.
The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) for its part said the Unified Vehicular Volume Reduction Program (UVVRP) has been suspended on Monday.
