Despite rain, transport groups rally for more jeepneys in Bicol streets

LEGAZPI CITY –– Heavy to moderate rains in Bicol due to the low-pressure area did not hamper transport group Condor Piston’s protest Thursday in this city to call on the resumption of transportation services in the region.

Ramon Rescovilla, deputy secretary-general of Condor Piston, said the problem of lack of transportation lies on the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) and the process of getting special permits.

A limited number of jeepneys were allowed to operate when Bicol transitioned from general community quarantine to modified general community quarantine amid the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic.

“Most of us have complied with the social distancing measures to be placed inside the jeepney, the contact tracing, and the face mask guidelines,” Rescovilla told the Inquirer. “The association in all the districts in Albay were already prepared, but LTFRB is slow in processing requests.”

He said that on the day for online filing of requests, “LTFRB’s machines were shut down.”

Only 30 percent of the jeepney drivers were allowed to operate as of Thursday, he said.

“The drivers, who have no other means, are severely affected. We have given them relief goods during the lockdown, but it is not enough and they are greatly suffering,” Rescovilla said.

Aside from the drivers and operators, even commuters are affected despite the free ride from the local government, he said.

Rescovilla said due to the rains, not all protesters were able to attend, but more protests are expected on Friday as the nation celebrates the country’s 122nd Independence Day.

He said the transport sector would join the “Mañanita Protests” in Bicol and in other regions to call for the junking of the anti-terrorism bill, which is called by its critics as a threat to human rights due to the “vague and expansive” definitions in the bill.

“If this bill becomes a law, we would not be able to express our dissent against the jeepney phaseout. We cannot fight for our livelihood,” Rescovilla said.

LZB