Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) Spokesperson Celine Pialago took a swipe against Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (BAYAN) Secretary-General Renato Reyes over the transport strike yesterday.
In a Facebook post, Pilago told Reyes to stop organizing rallies and transport strike because they’re not going to be successful.
She said that maybe if Reyes could organize a one-year transport strike, the government may feel the effect of their movement.
“Tigilan mo ko Renato Reyes. Tigilan mo kaka strike mo para pahirapan ang mga pasahero dahil hindi ka magtatagumpay.” Pialago said.
“Kung kaya mong mag transport strike ng isang taon baka sakali magtagumpay ka. One day? Try harder.” she added.
Pialago also made an open letter addressed to her critics who swarmed her on social media after she stated that the transport strike of groups didn’t succeed.
According to her, there’s nothing wrong of doing their job to counter the transport strike organized by some jeepney owner groups because they don’t want to commuter to suffer.
She stated that the strategy of some groups to get the attention of the government is wrong and it only affects the comfort of other people.
“Yung epektong gusto niyong mangyari ang paghihirapan naming pigilan, dahil bukod sa MMDA, pinaghandaan kayo ng ibat ibang local governments.” Pialago said.
“We are after the welfare of the people, at sa pagkakataong ito, mahalaga sa amin na hindi na kayo dumagdag pa sa araw-araw ng hirap na dinaranas ng mga commuters.” she added.
Pialago insisted that the PUV Modernization Program that is opposed by militant groups are for the people.
She also vowed that the government would not adjust for the sake of few groups who oppose PUV Modernization.
Meanwhile, Reyes responded to Pialago’s social media post, saying that the latter doesn’t understand the goal of a transport strike.
The temporary disruption is a last resort in order to raise just demands. May ipinaglalaban po ang mga tsuper. Hindi lamang po ito pamemerwisyo.
— Renato Reyes, Jr. (@natoreyes) September 30, 2019
“A strike aims to disrupt in order to call attention to an issue. The fact na nagsuspinde ng pasok, dahil may disruption, ito ay tagumpay na ng transport groups. Hindi ata nauunawaan ng MMDA ang layunin ng isang strike,” Reyes said.
“The temporary disruption is the last resort in order to raise just demands. May ipinaglalaban po ang mga tsuper. Hindi lamang po ito pamemerwisyo,” he added.