Some 35,000 ride-sharing drivers and operators nationwide are expected to participate in the first “transport holiday” to be staged next week as part of their continuous protest against their so-called “pahirap policies” of the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulator Board (LTFRB).
Members of TNVS (Transport Network Vehicle Service) Community, an umbrella group of TNVS operators and drivers, announced in a press conference in Quezon City on Thursday that they will temporarily go offline on Monday from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. as part of the transport holiday.
Apart from going offline, various TNVS groups will also gather in three protest camps in Quezon City, Manila, and in Pasay City where simultaneous rallies will be held during the whole-day program.
“This is not like the ordinary transport strike. Binibigayn po namin ng kalayaan ang bawat isang organization kung ano ang gagawin nila sa Monday. Some will have a vigil, some will have a caravan, others will be filing cases,” Ariel Inton of Lawyers for Commuters’ Safety and Protection (LCSP) said.
According to Inton, the upcoming transport holiday is a way for the drivers and operators to be heard on their call to address the plight of their fellow members.
“This transport holiday ay hindi lang po sa kalye kundi sa lahat ng aspeto hanggang makarating po ang kanilang mga hinaing na tutulan na at tuldukan ang pahirap policy sa LTFRB,” Inton told reporters.
For the part of the TNVS providers, Ninoy Mopas, president of TNVS group Thug Philippines, explained that they do not want to put the burden on the shoulders of commuters who will be affected by the transport holiday and assured that this will be a peaceful and non-violent protest.
“Ayaw din namin maapektuhan ang riding public. Ginagawa po namin ito para maiparating ang aming mga hinaing. Hindi po ito isang marahas na pagkilos,” Mopas said.
Last week, different TNVS groups sent a letter to President Duterte and Transportation Arthur Tugade to intervene and help the LTFRB in solving issues surrounding the ride-hailing market in the country.
Among the issues raised by the organization heads in the letter as well as in the press conference were the “demanding process” and “inconsistent requirements” of the agency in applying for a franchise to operate as a ride-hailing car. (Alexandria San Juan)
