MANILA, Philippines — Malacañang on Monday afternoon announced that classes at all levels in Metro Manila have been suspended starting 2 p.m.
The Office of the Executive Secretary called off the classes in view of the ongoing transport strike to protest the government’s plan to phaseout jeepneys aged 15 years and older.
The transport strike is being staged by major transport group Pinagkaisang Samahan ng mga Tsuper at Operators Nationwide. This is the first strike for 2018.
Piston president George San Mateo stressed that the group does not oppose the government’s move to modernize public utility vehicles, but he said the operators and drivers could not afford the purchase of new units. The government earlier vowed to provide assistance to transport drivers and operators.
READ: Piston holds another transport strike against jeepney phaseout
On Sunday a number of local government units and academic institutions canceled classes in their respective jurisdictions due to the transport strike.