FORT BONIFACIO, Metro Manila – The Philippine Army (PA) utilized its military vehicles to extend assistance to commuters in Metro Manila who are affected by the nationwide transport strike today, Sept. 30, 2019.
The PA in coordination with the Joint Task Force National Capital Region and the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) prepared 14 military trucks to provide free rides for commuters today. Currently, 10 military vehicles out of the 14 are already dispatched while the other four are on standby for the evening rush hour.
As advised by the MMDA, the Army vehicles followed five routes. Four routes start from Santolan to Monumento, Ortigas, EDSA Buendia, EDSA Taft and then there is also the Monumento to Santolan route.
According to reports, transport groups Pinagkaisang Samahan ng mga Tsuper at Operator Nationwide (PISTON), Alliance of Concerned Transport Organization (ACTO), and Stop and Go participated in the strike to show their opposition to the Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program (PUVMP) of the Department of Transportation. The PUVMP will phase out jeepneys that are at least 15 years old which must be replaced with Euro 4-compliant vehicles capable to run on renewable energy.
Due to the strike, some municipalities across the country suspended classes to ease the effect of the strike on commuters.
“The Philippine Army extended its assistance to commuters here in Metro Manila to help the government ensure that our citizens will be able to go on with their normal routine and not have their livelihood get compromised by this transport strike. This is a part of our duty to support the government in its development programs that aim to give Filipinos a better future,” said Lt. Col. Ramon P. Zagala, Army Spokesperson.
