Ateneo pushes shift to online classes due to week-long transport strike

The Ateneo de Manila University (ADMU) on Thursday recommended all its classes and office operations be shifted to online mode ahead of the looming week-long transport holiday that is being organized by transportation groups.

In a memorandum signed by University officer-in-charge Joaquin Jose Mari Sumpaico III, ADMU said the transition was suggested “to avoid the disruption of classes and university operations if the 7-day public transport strike takes place beginning on Monday.”

“In the event of a nationwide transport strike next week - Monday, 6 March 2023 to Saturday, 11 March 2023 - the university recommends that onsite classes at all levels in all campuses be transitioned to online mode for the duration of the strike,” the memo read.

ADMU said that arrangements should also be made by university offices for classes which need to be conducted onsite, like laboratory classes.

It also recommended the same for all university offices, allowing employees to work from home, except those whose work can only be performed onsite.

With this, university offices were tasked to advise visitors and external clients of alternate ways to contact or transact with their units.

“School units and university offices are requested to make the necessary preparations to go fully online for most of the services during the said period,” the memo added.

The week-long transport holiday being organized by transportation groups will push through despite the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board's (LTFRB) decision to extend the deadline for jeepney operators to join or form cooperatives to December 31, 2023.

This was to express opposition to the government’s Public Utility Vehicle (PUV) modernization program which aims to replace traditional jeepneys with vehicles powered by more environment-friendly fuels.

President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. earlier expressed hope that the strike would not commence, saying the government would talk with transport groups to discuss the issue. — Giselle Ombay/RSJ, GMA Integrated News