MALACAÑANG ON Wednesday, Oct. 18, said it was open to dialogue with transport groups, following a two-day nationwide strike against a transportation modernization program that prompted President Rodrigo R. Duterte on Tuesday to vent on striking group Piston.

On the second day of the jeepney strike on Tuesday, Mr. Duterte said in part: “Jan. 1 ’pag di niyo na-modernize ’yan, umalis kayo. Mahirap kayo? Putangina magtiis kayo sa hirap at gutom, ’la ako pakialam.” (If you do not modernize by Jan. 1, leave. You’re poor? Son of a bitch, deal with poverty and hunger, I don’t care.)

In a statement the next day, Presidential Spokesperson Ernesto C. Abella said in part, “Government is open to more healthy dialogue, discussion and responsible engagements with transport groups that wish to learn and contribute to the development of the PUV Modernization Program.”

“With the Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program (PUVMP), everybody benefits — from drivers, operators and most especially the millions of commuters,” he added.

“This is a wide window of opportunity for everyone — drivers, the operators, the riding public. The public needs to discern that some ideological influences can derail the greater good,” Mr. Abella also said.

Besides Piston, leftist groups also took part and issued statements in behalf of the strike. — Rosemarie A. Zamora

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