Gov't downplays PUJ strike; groups claim success

Striking transport groups claimed that they paralyzed 80 percent of Metro Manila's public transportation routes yesterday, but the government said the strike "was hardly felt by the riding public."

- BELLA CARIASO

"Many joined the program of the government. It's about 77 percent. Those who did not join the consolidation after the pandemic chose to shift to other sources of income. Others decided to go to the provinces...

That's the reason why many did not join the strike today," said Teofilo Guadiz III, Land Transportation, Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) chairman.

Guadiz reiterated in yesterday's Bagong Pilipinas Ngayon briefing that starting May 1, the LTFRB and other concerned government agencies would go after colorum jeepneys.

"Since they have no franchises, they can be prevented from operating starting May 1.

This will be done by LTFRB and other concerned government agencies who are monitoring the jeepney to ensure that everyone complies with the law on matters of consolidation," Guadiz said.

The Philippine National Police, noting that the first day of the twoday strike was generally peaceful, also reported that the activity "was hardly felt by the riding public in Metro Manila."

"We have not monitored any stranded passenger," Col. Jean Fajardo, PNP public information officer, said in a phone interview, citing a report from the National Capital Region Police Office that there were no stranded commuters on the roads in Metro Manila.