Palace suspends classes in Manila despite halt of transport strike

MANILA, Philippines — Malacañang on Tuesday has suspended classes at all levels in Metro Manila due to "actual and/or imminent threats posed by some groups."

 

The Office of the Presidential Spokesperson announced the suspension for the safety of the students.

 

"The President has instructed that he will suspend classes even with the slightest threat of a strike to ensure the protection and well-being of students," the statement read.

 

Meanwhile, suspension of classes outside Metro Manila will depend on local government units.

 

"We reiterate that the government remains steadfast to modernize our public utility vehicles and will not be bullied or held hostage by some transport groups," the presidential spokesperson said.

 

The class suspension comes amid the assurance of transport groups that they have no plans to extend their nationwide strike.

 

On Monday, Pinagkaisang Samahan ng mga Tsuper at Operator Nationwide President George San Mateo accused Malacañang of spreading fake news for claiming that transport groups are threatening to extend the strike to protest the government's plan to phase out old jeepneys.

 

"Wala pong transport strike bukas. Gaya ng ating inihayag sa media at publiko nung Marso 14 press conference at kanina sa press conference ay isang araw po ang strike na ating isinagawa ngayong araw March 19 (There is no transport strike tomorrow as we announced to the media and the public in our March 14 press conference and earlier at the press conference, the strike is for one day only)," San Mateo said on his Facebook page.