In anticipation of the week-long transport strike next week, the Quezon City government has crafted an action plan to assist commuters who may be affected by the lack of public transportation.

According to Mayor Joy Belmonte, the city’s Traffic and Transport Management Department (TTMD) will place Quezon City Bus Service bus units on standby for possible deployment to areas with a high number of stranded passengers.

These areas include Cubao, Commonwealth Avenue, Welcome (Mabuhay) Rotonda, Novaliches Bayan, LTFRB, East Avenue, Quezon Memorial Circle (QMC) and Fairview Area.

“I have instructed the TTMD to prepare our buses for possible deployment to help our commuters. Makatutulong ang ating mga Q City Bus para mapagaan ang epekto ng transport strike,” said Belmonte.

In addition, the Mayor also instructed all barangays, through the Barangay and Community Relations Department (BCRD), to use barangay vehicles to provide free rides in their area of responsibility.

The TTMD and Department of Public Order and Safety (DPOS) will conduct monitoring of areas with a high volume of stranded passengers, including the locations of protest rallies of drivers and operators within the city.

The Quezon City Police District (QCPD), for its part, will deploy personnel in critical areas to instill order in the communities and guarantee the safety of the riding public, especially PUVs that do not participate in the strike.

Mayor Belmonte has likewise asked the Quezon City Schools Division Office to conduct asynchronous classes throughout the week, noting that this is doable given the tablets issued by the city government to public school students. Private schools can also implement on-line classes upon their discretion.

Finally, the city encourages businesses, where doable, to allow work-from-home arrangements for employees.

Certain transport groups will hold a week-long transport strike to protest the national government’s PUV Modernization Program, where PUV operators were initially given until June 30, 2023 to form a cooperative. If they fail to do so, their certificate of public convenience will be revoked.

The Land Transportation and Franchising Regulatory Board (LTFRB) on Wednesday extended the deadline to December 31, 2023, but some transport groups said they will push through with the nationwide week-long transport strike.

“Kahit may ilang grupo ng nagsabi na hindi sila sasali sa strike, minabuti na rin namin na handa ang pamahalaang lungsod para tumugon sa ating mga commuters.” Belmonte said.

###