MANILA – Malacañang urged transport groups to pursue dialogue with the government instead of staging a transport strike to address the impact of rising global oil prices driven by tensions in the Middle East.

At a Palace press briefing, Presidential Communications Office Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said the government recognizes the challenges faced by drivers and operators amid successive fuel price increases, but stressed that a transport strike is not the appropriate response.

“Ang nais ng pamahalaan ay pag-uusap, negosasyon, makita kung ano ang daing at kung mayroon man, magkakaroon ng transport rally. Hindi kasi ito ang tugon, hindi ito ang sagot sa mga ganitong klaseng issue dahil mas mahihirapan lang din po ang ating mga commuters sa gagawin ganitong klaseng aksyon,” Castro said.

Castro said the government remains open to discussions and is willing to hear the concerns of transport groups to arrive at peaceful and practical solutions.

While acknowledging the right of groups to protest, she said prolonged transport disruptions would only inconvenience commuters and adversely affect the economy.

“Hindi po natin pinipigilan ang sinumang nais na magkaroon ng pagpoprotesta, but still hindi po siya makakatulong sa ating ekonomiya. Kung anuman po ang gagawin ng anong grupo iyan,” Castro said.