MANILA, Philippines — Progressive youth group
Anakbayan has set some ground rules as presidential spokesperson Salvador Panelo accepted the challenge to commute.
Earlier this week, the
Malacañang mouthpiece said there is no mass transport crisis in Metro Manila, prompting
Anakbayan, Kilusang Mayo Uno and Bagong
Alyansang
Makabayan to dare him to commute.
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Panelo has accepted the challenge and said he would ride a jeepney and the LRT going to
Malacañan on Friday.
Anakbayan spokesperson Alex
Danday said the
Malacañang spokesman should travel early morning during rush hour, without special treatment and bodyguards to brush off the crowd.
"
(W
)e are expecting the stint to be mere performance. To prevent this, the spokesperson must commute not only for a single day, but for a whole week,"
Danday said.
Anakbayan also noted that some government officials, such as Transport Secretary Arthur Tugade and Metropolitan Manila Development Authority spokesperson Celine
Pialago, have been silent on the issue.
The progressive group also challenged Tugade and
Pialago to commute and undergo the everyday struggles of commuters.
"We are daring government officials not to trivialize the struggle of commuters but to forward legitimate concerns and solutions towards a pro-people mass transport system,"
Anakbayan said.
Panelo earlier said he does not see a transportation crisis in Metro Manila as commuters still get a ride where they need to go.
"
Ano bang
ibig
nilang
sabihin
na transportation crisis?
Ang
nakikita
ko
lang traffic... May transportation
naman,
nakakasakay
naman
tayo
lahat," Panelo said Tuesday.
(What do they mean by transportation crisis? I only see traffic jams... There is transportation, we can still get rides.)
He even pointed out that commuters should leave early if they want to arrive at their destination on time.