Transport groups protest new terminal policy in Quezon City

MANILA, Philippines—Transport groups using the terminal in Eton Centris along Quezon Avenue in Quezon City staged a protest Friday, saying they were being asked to leave as another transport group leader was allegedly assigned to handle them.

In an interview over Inquirer Radio 990AM, Zenaida Maranan, Federation of Jeepney Operators and Drivers Association of the Philippines president, claimed that Obit Martin, president of Pasang Masda, who has apparently been assigned to manage the groups using Eton’s as their terminal, asked her group and the Alliance of Concerned Transport Organization to either pay membership and terminal fees, or leave.

The membership fee Martin was allegedly asking is P60,000, and the terminal fee is P25 for every travel, according to Maranan, noting that payment collectors will be Martin’s men, and not Eton’s.

“If we will join his group, we need to leave and he will allow other jeepney operators with franchise to come in,” she said.

Maranan said they were following the rules of the terminal and were paying necessary fees for the last six years since they first occupied the terminal.

A radio report said roughly 100 UV Express vans and jeepneys of Fejodap and ACTO earlier occupied the two inner lanes in front of the terminal from East Avenue from Kalayaan Avenue.

She said they were negotiating with concerned authorities, including the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority.

For the full interview, listen to the attached audio clip from Inquirer Radio 990AM.