Drivers, operators protest jeepney phaseout

MANILA, Philippines - Hundreds of jeepney drivers and operators held a protest yesterday in front of the Land Transportation Office (LTO) in Quezon City to oppose the government’s plan to phase out passenger jeepneys that are over 15 years old.

The protest inconvenienced motorists and commuters along East Avenue during yesterday morning’s rush hour.

The jeepney drivers belonging to the Association of Concerned Transport Organizations (ACTO) are calling for the ouster of LTO chief Alfonso Tan and the agency’s revised policy on compulsory third party liability insurance.

“We are calling for the resignation of the LTO chief for being inefficient,” ACTO president Efren de Luna said.

There is no date yet when the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board will implement the phaseout of old jeepneys.

But protesters said about 600,000 drivers and 250,000 operators would be affected if the phaseout pushes through.