“Because we are all in the same jeep anyway, government, transport groups and citizens should strive to address the challenges together.

To be honest, the transport strike last Monday felt like a reprieve for motorists who enjoyed a smoother and faster flow of traffic in a rare while.

Simply put, less volume on the road equals less traffic.

It is true, though, that such a strike can cripple a portion of the populace.

“The struggle is real,” as often said these days, often in reference to the hours and energy it takes to traverse through Metro Manila, no longer just on Fridays and payday weekends, but almost on a daily basis.

The term “road warrior” has taken on deeper connotations of grit and courage these past years as the transport system situation has gone through a rollercoaster of ups and downs.

Much faith, of course, was placed on the Duterte administration’s promise to address this problem.

Hardworking departments, strong programs and cooperation among agencies have contributed, in the last three years, to improving traffic solution-related needs such as infrastructure development.

While this, too, is not without its challenges, other possible solutions have been drawn up to keep moving toward the goal — nay, the “dream” of a traffic-free EDSA and a modern transport system for all Filipinos.

This is why a transport strike, designed to halt the usual movement of citizens in the metro, meets with mixed reactions.

The inconvenience it causes commuters coupled with the fact that undisciplined jeepney drivers do not get the sympathy of the public result in the feeling of great annoyance whenever such strikes happen.

This sentiment was voiced out by Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) Assistant Secretary Celine Pialago who, though she got flak for it, stood by her belief that the way of transport groups was not the right one to take under the current circumstances.

Transport groups led by the Pinagkaisang Samahan ng mga Tsuper at Operator Nationwide (PISTON) held a strike in Metro Manila to protest the Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program.

They wanted to disrupt the flow, so to speak, in order to bring attention to their opposition of the program that entails phasing out of jeepneys that are 15 years and older.

PISTON declared their strike a success, but the MMDA official begged to differ. This caused a barrage of reactions anew, this time over differing opinions about the transport strike.

For its part, government strove to lessen the impact of the strike by suspending classes in Metro Manila and offering free rides to the public.

It was not, therefore, as “crippling” as it was meant to be, and moreover, it did not convince government to change its mind about implementing the modernization program for public utility vehicles.

In fact, the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board says this plan will be rolled out as planned.

Change, as we had asked for, is coming and yet people do not seem to be so open to it.

What this recent skirmish tells us is that even with the fear or opposition to change — change that has long been needed — life will move forward.

Of all people, the transport groups should know this. The old units no longer serve the populace’s need for low-emission and fuel-efficient vehicles that would help reduce air pollution and provide more comfortable transportation for commuters.

However, because we are all in the same “jeep” anyway, government, transport groups and citizens should strive to address the challenges together. It does not bode well for our country to be divided about something that helps move us all forward, literally and figuratively.

So, it is with optimism that we once more put our faith on government’s openness to dialogue with the concerned groups, and the latter’s openness to the idea of change.

Maybe with a more positive outlook, we can all move on.