Transport groups roll out protest caravan vs old UV taxis’ phaseout

UV Express taxis that are 13 years old or older will soon be taken off the streets if the government has its way. Militant transport groups, however, have other ideas and intend to make their opposition known through Thursday’s protest caravan. RUDY ESPERAS

Militant transport groups will hold a major rally on Thursday to voice their opposition to the government’s mandatory phaseout and replacement of 13-year-old utility vehicle (UV) express taxis.

The drivers of about 150 UV express units and over 400 members of Pagkakaisa ng mga Samahan ng Tsuper at Opereytor Nationwide (Piston) and those of the newly formed group Alyansa Tutol sa UV Express Year-Model Phase-Out are expected to join the protest caravan from Quezon City to Chino Roces Bridge (formerly Mendiola) in Manila.

“We are asking President Aquino to junk the Year-Model Phase-Out program for UV express taxis that took effect this month [and is] being implemented by the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) and the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB),” Piston national president George San Mateo said in a statement.

He also urged the government to drop a similar proposal for old jeepneys. Should their call be ignored, the group would hold a transport strike, he added.

The protesters are expected to assemble at the Quezon Memorial Circle at 8 a.m. and leave for España Boulevard in Manila at 9:30 a.m. The caravan will make its way to Nicanor Reyes Street before stopping at Mendiola for a program that will be held from 10:30 a.m. until noon.

Aside from protesting the phaseout of old UV express taxis, Piston said it would also ask that oil companies be investigated for overpricing petroleum products.

It likewise urged the DOTC to comply with a Court of Appeals ruling in November that declared as illegal DOTC Department Order 2008-39, which raised the fines imposed nationwide on motorists who commit traffic violations.

Earlier this week, 10 transport groups led by Angat Tsuper Samahan ng mga Tsuper at Operator ng Pilipinas-Genuine Organization asked the appellate court to block the implementation of LTFRB Memo Circular No. 2012-0217 and 2012-030, which call for the phaseout of old UV express vehicles/units that are 13 years old or more and their substitution with new vehicles that are not more than three years old.