THE House of Representatives and the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) have joined forces in the deployment of “rescue vehicles” offering free rides to commuters to help the Marcos administration address the three-day transport strike that failed to cripple public transportation in Metro Manila during its first day.

“The House of the People is always working in collaboration with the Marcos government through the MMDA to alleviate the inconvenience caused to commuters by the transport strike. We have taken this joint initiative to ensure that stranded commuters have available rides to their work or home,” Speaker Romualdez said after his office sent five buses to MMDA.

“During this period of strike, I commend MMDA acting chair Artes for working with us in ensuring the continued accessibility of reliable public transportation services,” Speaker Romualdez said.

For his part, Artes said his agency and the House of Representatives have deployed five buses since Monday to augment the number of vehicles provided by local governments and other agencies offering free rides to the affected commuters.

“The MMDA, in partnership with the House of Representatives and other local government agencies, ensures the immediate dispatch of free ride services to help our commuting public. We thank the leadership of Speaker Romualdez for responding and helping our objective that commuters would not suffer from this transport strike,” Artes said.

Artes said the five buses were deployed on the following routes: SUCAT-Baclaran, Pasig-Momumento-Quiapo, Philcoa-Doña carmen, Parañaque City to City Hall, and Antipolo-Quiapo.

The Pagkakaisa ng mga Samahan ng Tsuper at Opereytor Nationwide (PISTON) led the three-day transport strike to protest against the upcoming deadline for the consolidation under the Public Utility Vehicles Modernization Program (PUVMP).

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Ryan Ponce Pacpaco