Laguna drivers join caravan to protest penalty hikes

SAN PEDRO, Laguna—Members of the transport group Pinagka-isang Samahan ng Tsuper at Operator Nationwide (Piston) joined the transport caravan on Tuesday against the high fees and penalties imposed on drivers of public utility vehicles.

The protest caravan of around 100 drivers aboard 50 jeepneys in Laguna kicked off around 10 a.m. in San Pedro town, said Piston Southern Tagalog spokesperson Rolando Mingo.

It then proceeded to the district offices of the Land Transportation Office (LTO) in Biñan City and Calamba City, Balibago complex in Sta. Rosa City and the public market in Cabuyao City. The caravan ended with a program at Calamba City crossing at around 2 p.m.

Mingo said they were protesting the recent decision of the Baguio Regional Trial Court that junked the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) order 2008-39.

The department order increases the penalty for colorum (drivers operating illegally) from P1,500 to P6,000 and imposes a P1,000 fine for violations, such as wearing slippers while on route.

The drivers also assailed the high price of oil products.

On May 2, the court junked the DOTC order and on Sept. 10 dismissed the motion for reconsideration filed by the DOTC.

Mingo said 80 percent of jeepney drivers plying the San Pedro-Calamba City route joined the caravan but Supt. Arnel Gongona, Cabuyao City police chief, said it did not have much impact on commuters.

Gongona said the caravan was composed of around 20 jeepneys that each carried two to three persons. Commuter Christopher Alba from Biñan City said traffic was normal on Tuesday morning.