In preparation for the possible inconvenience to commuters caused by the announced week-long transport strike by various associations of jeepney drivers on March 6, Mayor WES Gatchalian and the City Government of Valenzuela will be deploying “Libreng Sakay” vehicles to provide transportation for public commuters.

An estimated 40,000 public utility vehicles (PUVs) are set to join the protest after various transport groups previously announced that they will continue the week-long transport strike on Monday despite the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) moving the traditional jeepney phaseout to December 31, 2023. 

Upon hearing the news, Mayor WES called for a meeting with several Jeepney Operators and Drivers Association (JODA) registered in the City, yesterday, March 1. 

Mayor WES assured that the local government and transport groups in the city have a good relationship, so that the operation in the city will continue despite the strike. “Nais ko pong ipaalam sa publiko, sa aking mga mahal na kababayan na dito po sa Valenzuela City, maayos at nagkakaisa po ang inyong lokal na pamahalaan, ang mga iilang jeepney operators at drivers association natin. Kaya po makakaasa po ang ating mga kababayan na magkaroon man ng strike o hindi, patuloy pa rin po ang serbisyo, patuloy pa rin po ang pag-transport natin sa ating mga kababayan patungo sa kanilang pupuntahan sa trabaho man o sa paaralan man ay tuloy pa rin ang ating operasyon,” he said. [I would like to inform the public, my dear compatriots that here in Valenzuela City, your local government is well and united with our few jeepney operators and drivers association. That's why our compatriots can hope that whether there is a strike or not, the service will still continue, we will continue to transport our compatriots to where they are going, whether it's work or school, our operation will continue.]

The Local Chief Executive also shared the preparation of the City Government of Valenzuela for the upcoming transport strike across the country. The local government will dispatch eight (8) Libreng Sakay trucks at four (4) major routes in the city; four (4) trucks along MacArthur Highway Malanday to Marulas route, one (1) truck for Malanday to Polo route, two (2) trucks for Malinta to Novaliches route, and one (1) truck for Polo to Monumento route.

In line with this, Mayor WES conveyed his appreciation and gratitude to the Jeepney Operators and Drivers Association (JODA) and different transport cooperatives as they affirmed that they will not participate in the said protest. Thus, they are supportive of the jeepney modernization of the National Government. However, in order to avoid any trouble on the days of the strike, the local government will push its plan of deploying free rides for the working sectors next week.

This shows that traveling in the City of Valenzuela will not be a problem during the height of the protest movement, hence, the City Government still prepares to fill the gaps for possible disturbances.

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