Transport group to stage Metro-wide strike on Monday, Dec. 7

INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

A national transport group is set to hold a transport holiday in Metro Manila on Monday, December 7, to oppose the policy of the Land Transportation and Franchising Regulatory Board (LTFRB) to phase-out passenger jeepneys which are over 15 years old.

In a statement issued recently, Alliance of Transport Organizations (ACTO) National President Efren de Luna said the LTFRB should hold a dialogue with jeepney drivers and operators regarding the said policy.

De Luna said that while they do not oppose modernization, the LTFRB should clarify the criteria of phasing out old jeepneys. He said that some passenger jeepneys might be over 15-years-old but are still in working condition.

“Ano ba ang batayan nila? Sa edad lang ba? Paano yung mga 15 taon na pero maayos pa ang body at maganda pa ang takbo ng makina?”

“Ano ang standard na dapat unahin alisin? Ano talaga ang programa ng gobyerno sa atin? Tuluyan ba tayong sabay-sabayang aalisan ng karapatan para mabuhay?” he said.

(Is their basis of phasing out jeepneys lies solely on the age of the jeepney? How about those which may be over 15 years old but are still working?)

(What standard should they remove first? What is the government’s plan for us? Is the government really taking away our right to live?”)

Aside from opposing the phasing out of old jeepneys, de Luna said that their group is also calling for the resignation of LTFRB Chair Atty. Winston Ginez Jr. and Land Transportation Office Assistant Secretary Alfonso Tan Jr. whom they slammed as architects of “anti-poor” policies.

Starting January 2016, operators of 15-year-old jeepneys will not be able to renew their franchises with the LTFRB in a bid to decongest the already clogged roads of Metro Manila.