Transport group to hold protest next week

CEBU, Philippines - More than 100 members of public transport group Pinagkaisang Samahan ng mga Tsuper at Operator Nationwide (PISTON) will hold a protest action next week.

Greg Perez, Piston Cebu coordinator, said the rally is intended to reiterate the opposition of drivers against exorbitant fines and longer periods of suspension for traffic violations under the controversial Joint Administrative Order.

The group is instead pushing for the strict implementation of the Republic Act 4136 or the Land Transportation and Traffic Code.

“Di unta daog-daogon ang mga drivers. Mao molihok gyud mi, momartsa mi. Para namo di na balaod ang JAO,” he said.

Perez said that PISTON will hold a nationwide mass action Tuesday, November 10, to protest the excessive fines to public utility drivers and operators.

He said that most of the PUJ drivers were apprehended for violating the no-stopping policy, reckless driving, no-uniform policy, and out-of-line.  He also said they also express their opposition to local ordinances which impose higher penalties to traffic violators and traffic code violators.

“Wala na’y kapangitaan, mamasada bisa’g illegal. Unya nagkataas ang multa,” he said.

Perez said most of the participating PUJ drivers are those plying the following route numbers: 20A, 20B, 21A, 21D, 22A, 04L, 10H, and 10M.

At least 30 tricycle drivers in Mandaue City particularly those in Barangays Paknaan, Hernan Cortes, and Cabancalan will also join the protest.

Perez said they will also call on Mandaue City Mayor Jonas Cortes to act on the concerns of the tricycle drivers who are mostly penalized for having no franchise, no registration or incomplete documents.

“Until karon ang mga tricycle drivers nga gipangdakop sa LTO since September wa pa malokat ilang mga lisensya. Naa pa sa impounding area. Wala pud sila gipanghatagan og prangkisa sa city hall ug wa mahuman process ilang rehistro sa LTO. Mao madakpan na sila,” he said.

He said the drivers will assemble in Barangay Ibabao-Estancia in Mandaue City at 7 a.m. and will start marching by 8 a.m. to the Mandaue City Hall. They will proceed to Land Transportation Office-7 by noon.

Perez said that members of the National Confederation of Transportworkers’ Union-Central Visayas will also join the rally.

Perez said that it would be possible that the protesting drivers will not ply their routes after the protest which might result in shortage of public transport.

He said they will conduct information dissemination starting today to warn the public ahead so they can prepare. PISTON-Cebu has a total of more than 500 members. (FREEMAN)