Malacañang has appealed to transport group PISTON to reconsider the timing of its planned transport strike on Nov. 16, the opening day of the 49th Association of Southeast Asian Nations Summit in the Philippines.
The appeal comes as foreign leaders and other delegates are expected to arrive for the regional gathering.
Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said during a press briefing that transport groups have had sufficient time to raise their concerns with the government.
She said the Palace was asking the groups not to stage protests on the day foreign leaders and other visitors arrive.
Castro assured affected sectors that the government would address their needs in connection with protests and other activities related to the summit.
She also urged the groups to demonstrate what she described as the genuine good manners of Filipinos as the country welcomes its visitors.
The Palace appeal follows PISTON’s plan to hold a transport strike on Nov. 16, coinciding with the start of the ASEAN summit.
Castro emphasized that groups could communicate their grievances to officials before the arrival of foreign delegations.
