Manila: The government has announced a series of measures to support commuters during the upcoming three-day transport strike organized by the transport group Manibela. To mitigate the impact on daily commuters, the administration will provide free rides and increase the frequency of buses and trains in Metro Manila.

According to Philippines News Agency, Transportation Secretary Vince Dizon conveyed through an advisory from Palace Press Officer Claire Castro that additional buses will be deployed along the EDSA busway. Furthermore, more trains will be available on the Metro Rail Transit-3 and Light Rail Transit Lines 1 and 2 to accommodate the expected surge in passengers.

The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority will also be mobilizing free-ride buses in regions affected by the strike. In response to the anticipated disruption, several schools have opted to shift to online classes, with some choosing this mode only for Monday and others for the entire duration of the strike, which is expected to last until Wednesday.

Despite the planned strike by Manibela, the transport group Pasang Masda announced that its members would not be participating. Pasang Masda national president Obet Martin emphasized the negative effects of halting operations, stating in a radio interview on dzBB, "Stopping operations will not do any good. It will just inconvenience the public."

Secretary Dizon called upon Manibela to reconsider their action and engage in constructive dialogue with the government. "We are appealing to Manibela to consider the commuting public and hold off its planned transport strike, instead let us sit down for a dialogue where they can air their grievances," he stated, urging the group to express their concerns through discussion rather than disruption.

The ongoing protest by Manibela is in opposition to what they claim is the falsification of data by the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board concerning the Public Transport Modernization Program.