By Raymond Carl Dela Cruz
MANILA – The Department of Transportation (DOTr) declared the two-day transport strike initiated by two public utility vehicle (PUV) groups as “unsuccessful” on Tuesday.
DOTr Secretary Jaime Bautista stated that the government’s measures to counter the impact of the two-day transport strike were successful. Nonetheless, Bautista acknowledged that the two transport groups, PISTON and Manibela, were able to cause traffic disruptions by blocking roads in certain areas.
They were successful in creating traffic. Pero (But) we were able to prove that government is ready to address transport issues,” Bautista said at the celebration of the Land Transportation Office’s (LTO) 112th founding anniversary in Quezon City.
The protesters, he said, may be liable for traffic violations such as obstruction of traffic following a review by the LTO, Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB), Metropolitan Manila Development Authority and the Philippine National Police.
“Ang nakita namin ay obstruction which created traffic. Mayroon naman silang right na ipaglaban ang kanilang karapatan, pero ‘wag naman sanang ma-apektuhan ang traveling public (We saw obstructions that created traffic. They have the right to protest but it should not affect the traveling public),” he added.
Earlier, members of PISTON and Manibela occupied the southbound lane of Quezon Avenue from Welcome Rotonda to Blumentritt since their vigil on Monday night.
The protesters said their actions are meant to illustrate their opposition to the government’s PUV modernization program.
On Monday, LTFRB chair Teofilo Guadiz III said the transport strike did not result in stranded passengers or long queues, noting that rescue buses remained on standby. (PNA)
