Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) Chairman Francis Tolentino said the strike only had minimal effect in the metropolis as some drivers continued to ply their routes, defying calls for them to join the protest action.
“Only a few joined the strike, there was no untoward incident reported, there were no stranded passengers as we have prepared counter-measures for this movement,” said Tolentino.
Presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda commended the MMDA for its contingency measures that minimized the impact of the protest action.
LTFRB Board Member Manuel Iway said only 18 jeepneys and seven units of UV express vehicles participated in the motorcade from the Quezon Memorial Circle to the offices of big oil companies in Makati City.
A total of 76 vehicles with “Libreng Sakay” markings from the Philippine National Police, Department of Public Works and Highways, the Armed Forces of the Philippines-National Capital Region Command (AFP-NCRCom) have been made available to MMDA to ferry stranded passengers but only a few were deployed.
Hours before the transport caravan, the MMDA activated its command center to monitor the situation in the entire metropolis.
As per MMDA monitoring, protesters' vehicles started arriving at the Quezon City Memorial Circle as early as 7 a.m., the caravan reached the Makati area at about 12:30 p.m.
“The agency also monitored throwing of nails on Roosevelt Avenue in Quezon City, converging militant groups that snarled traffic, conduct of planking the day before the strike but no road was closed, we ensured that traffic is smooth,” said Tolentino.
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