Transport groups to block old UV units scrapping

MANILA, Philippines - Transport groups, including Piston, will be asking the Supreme Court to stop the implementation of the government's mandatory phase out of  13-year-old UV express units.

Piston national president George San Mateo said they will file a petition before the High Court on Jan. 10, seeking to stop the UV Express Year Model Phase-Out policy of the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board.

Meanwhile, San Mateo said transport groups will be staging a protest caravan on Thursday, Jan. 10, to call on the government to scrap the UV express year model phase out policy that is set to start this year.

San Mateo said transport groups will march from Quezon City Circle up to Don Chino Roces Brige (formerly Mendiola) in Manila to ask President Benigno Aquino III to also look into the overpricing of oil companies.

He said they will also urge the President to implement the decision of the Baguio City Regional Trial Court, barring the Department of Transportation and Communications' order to impose higher penalties and fees for traffic violations.

San Mateo also warned of a transport strike if the government refuses to halt the implementation of the mandatory phase out of 13-year-old model UV Express units.

"Walang isinagawang public hearing o public consultation ang LTFRB noong panahong binabalangkas nito ang 2007 at 2012  LTFRB Memo-Circular kaugnay sa 13 Years Model phase-Out sa UV Express. Ang totoo niyan ay Mekanikal lang na ipinatupad ng LTFRB sa hanay ng UV Express ang 13 Years Model Phase-Out na nauna nitong ipinatupad sa mga metered taxi," he said. - Dennis Carcamo