Commuters in Iloilo City may face major disruptions on Monday, March 23, as transport groups plan a coordinated “transport holiday,” but local authorities are moving quickly to prevent a gridlock.
Mayor Raisa Treñas ordered the deployment of city buses and service vehicles under a “Libre Sakay” initiative to maintain mobility for workers, students, and everyday commuters.
Starting at 6:00 a.m., government vehicles will operate from Arevalo, Mandurriao, and Jaro plazas to Plaza Libertad, looping back to pick up additional passengers. Services are scheduled until 10:00 a.m. and will resume in the afternoon from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., targeting peak travel periods.
Treñas also urged the public to help ease the impact through carpooling and other community-based solutions, highlighting the shared responsibility in keeping the city moving.
At the provincial level, the Iloilo Provincial Government is supporting the effort by deploying vehicles to key terminals in Mohon, Ungka, and Tagbak starting 6:00 a.m.
The Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO), led by Cornelio Salinas, instructed all municipal DRRM offices to activate contingency plans and provide assistance to affected commuters.
With the transport strike looming, Iloilo’s coordinated response reflects the city and province’s proactive approach to urban mobility, aiming to safeguard essential travel while negotiations with transport operators remain unresolved.IMT
