The Pagkakaisa mga Samahan ng Tsuper at Operator Nationwide (PISTON), meanwhile, said that thousands of its members nationwide have committed to participate in the transport strike Monday.
PISTON's statement came as thousands of commuters flocked to train stations in Metro Manila as the transportation holiday began Monday morning.
Left-leaning groups, on the other hand, said they are joining the strike to urge the Arroyo administration to scrap the Oil Deregulation Law and lift the value-added tax on fuel products.
"We are joining in this protest led by PISTON to denounce the continuous increase in oil prices,” Anakpawis Rep. Crispin Beltran said.
Beltran's statement came as thousands of commuters arrived at stations of the Light Rail Transit and the Metro Rail Transit in Metro Manila for the usual Monday morning rush.
Mel Robles, administrator of the Light Rail Transit Authority, said they are ready for the increase of passenger volume.
Robles said they are prepared for an anticipated increase in passengers as a result of the strike. The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority, meanwhile, is also prepared to deploy vehicles for stranded passengers.
For its part, the Philippine National Police said its forces are now on full alert for the transport strike. PNP chief Director General Avelino Razon Jr. said a big number of police forces are deployed in the streets to maintain order.
Police and military trucks are also deployed to provide free rides to stranded commuters, Razon added.
Authorities, meanwhile, reminded the protestors not to harass other jeepney drivers who refused to participate in the strike.
Spikes for non-strikers
Last week, major transportation groups Isang United Transport Koalisyon, Federation of Jeepney Operators and Drivers Association of the Philippines and Alliance of Concerned Transport Organizations announced that they would not join the demonstration following their meeting with Energy Secretary Angelo Reyes.
The groups said instead of "band-aid solutions" they would push for for long-term solutions to address the effect of high oil prices on fare.
Some jeepney drivers were also reportedly plying their usual routes Monday morning.
Meanwhile, groups who did not join the transport strike complained that they were victimized by spikes scattered on the road.
In San Pablo City in Laguna, the management of the JAC Liner bus company said at least five of their units suffered from flat tires because of spikes on the road.
Greg Cayabyab of JAC Liner said other company-owned buses were also victimized by the spikes in San Pablo.
He said that hundreds of passengers were stranded in San Pablo because of the sabotage.
Authorities, meanwhile, have yet to identify the perpetrators.