Quezon City to offer free rides during transport strike

MANILA, Philippines — The Quezon City government has set up contingency measures to assist commuters who will be affected by the weeklong transport strike, which starts today in Metro Manila.

In a statement yesterday, Mayor Joy Belmonte said she ordered the city’s Traffic and Transport Management Department (TTMD) to place city-owned buses on standby to provide free rides for stranded passengers.

The buses will be deployed in Cubao, Commonwealth Avenue, Welcome Rotonda, Novaliches Bayan, East Avenue, Quezon Memorial Circle and Fairview.

Belmonte said barangay officials were also instructed to provide free rides to commuters.

The city’s TTMD and Department of Public Order and Safety will monitor areas with a high volume of stranded passengers as well as the locations of protest rallies of jeepney drivers.

The Quezon City Police District said it would deploy personnel in critical areas to instill order in the communities and ensure the safety of commuters and drivers of public utility vehicles (PUVs) who are not participating in the strike.

Meanwhile, Belmonte has asked the Quezon City Schools Division Office to conduct asynchronous classes throughout the week, saying this is doable with the computer tablets issued by the local government to public school students.

Belmone said private schools may also implement online classes upon their discretion.

The city government also urged businesses to allow work-from-home arrangements for employees during the transport holiday.

Several transport groups are opposing the national government’s PUV modernization program, which aims to phase out traditional jeepneys and consolidate drivers into cooperatives.

PUV operators were initially given until June 30 to join cooperatives. If they fail to do so, their franchises will be revoked.

The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board has extended the deadline to Dec. 31.