The Manila Development Authority (MMDA) chief Romando Artes said on Thursday, Dec. 14, that there was no disruption yet in public transport amid the Pagkakaisa ng mga Samahan ng Tsuper at Operator Nationwide’s (PISTON) two-day transport strike.

“So far po wala pa po kaming nakikitang disruptions sa pampublikong transport. In fact wala pa po tayong na-deploy na libreng sakay sa kasalukuyan although nakapre-position tayo,” Artes told DZRH in an interview.

“Meron po tayong multi-agency command center sa MMDA na pinangungunahan ng office of the executive secretary na nagmo-monitor po ng sitwasyon sa ating mga lansangan and so far naman po maayos pa po yung pampublikong transportasyon,” he added.

Artes noted that some jeepney drivers might have opted not to join the transport strike.

“Maari rin po kasi na meron pong mga hindi sumama na mga miyembro nila sa tigil pasada. Alam naman po natin mahirap po ang buhay, magpapasko. Kapag po kasi sila ay tumigil pasada, sila rin po ang map-perwisyo dahil wala po silang panggastos sa kanilang pamilya kaya po rin siguro hindi po siguro lahat ng mga miyembro ng nasabing grupo ang sumama sa rally,” he said.

The MMDA chief, however, mentioned the possibility that jeepney drivers were yet to join since the transport group said they would begin at eight in the morning.

“Although ang advisory kasi nila 8 o clock pa magsisimula yung kanilang programa, baka naman po bumabyahe pa yung iba hanggang alas otso at sasama po mamaya. In any eventuality, handa po naman ang pamahalaan na tumugon sa magiging resulta nito pong strike,” he added.

PISTON commenced its two-day tigil pasada early Thursday to oppose the consolidation deadline on Dec. 31.

The transporation department urged Public Utility Vehicles to abide by the requirements of joining corporations under the Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program.