MANILA - Transport groups went on strike on Monday against jeepney modernization and policies of the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board.
The Alliance of Concerned Transport Organizations (ACTO) gathered at the Quezon Memorial Circle at 8 a.m. before marching to the LTFRB office in East Avenue at 10 a.m.
The group said the jeepney units that the LTFRB endorsed were based on international standards and are not fit in the Philippines when flood occurs.
ACTO president Efren De Luna added that the jeepney modernization will need point-to-point trips which would entail a private lot as a terminal.
The group also called for the resignation of LTFRB chairman Martin Delgra.
De Luna said they will mount a bigger protest should government refuse to listen to them.
Pinagkaisang Samahan ng mga Tsuper at Operator Nationwide (PISTON), meanwhile, gathered at Internal Road, East Avenue to protest Public Utility Vehicle (PUV) modernization, tax reform law, and the continues rise of prices of goods.
Under the transportation department's PUV Program launched in 2017, all jeepneys must be brought into compliance with new design standards within 3 years.
President Rodrigo Duterte has vowed to implement the program despite the opposition of small transport operators, who said it will drive them into debt due to the new jeepney models' higher costs.
--With reports from Jervis Manahan, Raya Capulong, and Henry Atuelan, ABS-CBN News