MMDA: Number coding not lifted on Dec. 14, 15 despite transport strike

The Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) on Wednesday said it will not lift the number coding scheme in Metro Manila for the two-day transportation strike set on December 14 and 15.

That's according to MMDA Romando Artest in a tweet by GMA Integrated News reporter Joseph Morong. 

On Tuesday, transport group PISTON said it would push through with a nationwide transport strike on Thursday and Friday to protest the deadline for the consolidation of public utility vehicles (PUV) on December 31, 2023. 

"Walang malinaw na batayan ang gobyerno para ipagpilitan ang deadline. Lalo lang nila papatayin ang mamamayan," PISTON said in a Facebook statement.

(There's no clear basis why the deadline cannot be moved. They are just paralyzing the public.)

President Ferdinand  Marcos Jr. earlier said it was decided in a meeting with transport officials that there will be no extension of the Dec. 31, 2023 deadline for PUV consolidation.

The President noted that 70% of PUV operators "have already committed to, and consolidated under, the Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program (PUVMP).

"Dahil sa pahayag ni Marcos Jr, lalong lumakas ang dahilan para ituloy ang welga. Panawagan namin sa lahat ng mga JODA (Jeepney Operators and Drivers Association) at maging sa mga komyuter, sama-sama tayong kumilos at igiit ang pagbabasura sa deadline at sa sapilitang franchise consolidation." said Piston. 

(We have a stronger reason to push through with the strike because of Marcos Jr.'s statement. We call on all JODAs and even commuters to join our call for the scrapping of the deadline and the forced franchise consolidation.) —VAL, GMA Integrated News