Maranan, transport group leader, dies in Manila

The leader of one of two large transport groups passed away Tuesday night due to a heart attack.

Romualdo "Romy" Maranan, president of the moderate Federation of Jeepney Operators and Drivers Association of the Philippines (Fejodap), died at the Abad Santos Hospital in Tondo after he collapsed while attending a meeting of the organization. He was 60 years old.

Maranan, or "Ka Romy" to his friends, was Fejodap president from 1981 until his death. He led his group, together with the left-leaning Pinag-isang Samahan ng mga Tsuper at Opereytors Nationwide (Piston), in several transport strikes calling for a freeze in oil increase.

At the time of his death, Maranan was also the president of Confederation of Land Transport Associations of the Philippines (Coltap), chairman of the Land Transport Industry Board Foundation and board member of the newly formed coalition of road users, the Road Board.

According to Fejodap officers, Maranan was instrumental in the lowering of the proposed road user’s tax from 600 percent to 100 percent.

Maranan was also proposing the establishment of a drivers’ cooperative where the driver members themselves would import oil products without going through the big oil companies.

He used to say that if his proposal is approved. a marked decrease in oil products will be enjoyed by the consumers.

His body now lies in state at his house in Tondo, Manila. He is survived by his wife Zenaida and seven children. – Nestor Etolle