Chalssea Kate Echegoyen

Commuters wait for a ride along Commonwealth Avenue in Quezon City on the first day of PISTON’s transport strike on Thursday, March 19, 2026. Fuel prices continue to rise, adding to the burden of drivers, workers, and daily commuters. Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News

Article (news)

Michael Delizo

ABS-CBN News

MANILA — The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) on Tuesday said it has placed its assets on standby to respond to the possible effects of a three-day transport strike, but stressed these will not be deployed “indiscriminately” unless necessary.MMDA Chairman Romando Artes said the agency is closely monitoring the situation through its Emergency Operations Center, which has been activated following advisories from the Department of Transportation and the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board.Artes said the MMDA has four buses, four coasters, and 10 light trucks ready, but these will only be deployed to provide free rides if conditions on the ground warrant such action. Monitoring is set to begin at 6 a.m.“Hindi po natin indiscriminately dine-deploy kasi kawawa naman ‘yong mga bumabiyahe. Siyempre, priority ng ating mga kababayan ‘yong libre. So, pipiliin nilang sumakay doon kaya hindi po natin dine-deploy ito unless kailangan,” Artes said.The MMDA chief added that local government units and other national agencies are also prepared, with their own transport assets on standby.Free rides, he said, will likely be deployed in areas where large numbers of commuters are expected to be stranded.“In case na mamonitor po namin on the ground na may mga naiipon pong pasahero, saka lang po natin sila palalabasin para sundoin po at ihatid ‘yon pong mga mai-stranded nating kababayan,” Artes said.Transport group Manibela earlier announced a nationwide strike from April 15 to 17, citing soaring fuel prices and alleged government inaction.<div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/4/13/transport-strike-set-on-april-15-17-0913">Manibela sets April 15-17 transport strike strike over fuel crisis</a></div>Manibela chairman Mar Valbuena said around 500,000 jeepney drivers, motorcycle taxi riders, and ride-hailing app drivers are expected to join the protest, which will include a demonstration at a gas station in Philcoa, Quezon City.The group said the strike highlights the worsening economic conditions faced by drivers, with some reportedly earning as little as P150 to P200 a day after fuel expenses.<div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/4/14/hpg-deploys-500-personnel-offers-free-rides-set-for-commuters-during-transport-strike-1331">MMDA ready for 3-day transport strike</a></div>

The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) on Tuesday said it has placed its assets on standby to respond to the possible effects of a three-day transport strike, but stressed these will not be deployed “indiscriminately” unless necessary.

The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) on Tuesday said it has placed its assets on standby to respond to the possible effects of a three-day transport strike, but stressed these will not be deployed “indiscriminately” unless necessary.

MMDA says ready to respond to looming 3-day transport strike

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MMDA says ready to respond to looming 3-day transport strike

Michael Delizo,

ABS-CBN News

Published April 14, 2026 05:44 PM PHT

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Updated April 14, 2026 05:45 PM PHT

Read More:

MMDA

Romando Artes

Transport Strike

Manibela

Oil Crisis

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