Truck holiday: Economic sabotage
The holiday season is here. Everyone feels and hears it. It’s wet and cold outside and piped-in Christmas songs are creating soothing atmosphere inside the shopping malls. When the Christmas’ bonuses are released and OFWs’ intentionally hiked remittances arrive, shopping malls and restaurants will surely be filled beyond capacity. Obviously, that’s one aspect of the Christmas holiday that has always been part of our tradition.
Sadly, however, another holiday is being observed starting today. Expected to last for six days, some customs brokers and truckers are set to observe a “truck holiday” to oppose the phase-out of old trucks. According to Teddy Gervacio of the Alliance of Philippine Brokers and Truckers Association, the “day of rest” is meant to protest the order of Department of Transportation (DoTr) Secretary Arthur Tugade to phase out trucks that are 15
years and older. Due to this program, “the small business of 90 percent of small-time truckers will be dead and it will immediately impact on the poor drivers and helpers who will starve because they will lose their jobs,” Gervacio added.
They (the so-called small truckers) are observing this “truck holiday” despite having an agreement with the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board that they shall be allowed to use their old trucks during a transition period. Provided, however, that they pass the roadworthiness test of the Motor Vehicle Inspection System (with the Land Transportation Office) of public vehicles for the safety, security, and comfort of the public at large.
The good thing though is that, according to the DoTr, “big trucking companies are not joining.” Though the impact remains to be seen, hopefully, it will not badly affect the movement of cargoes especially in the port areas.
To recall, a similar situation happened in the Manila ports in the last quarter of 2013 to the first quarter of 2014. That was when Manila Mayor Erap Estrada implemented an extended truck ban in the City of Manila. Though not a truck holiday, the extended truck ban then may approximate the “six-day truck holiday” that shall be observed by these small operators starting today.
Lest we forget, it took him seven months to realize that the scheme was not working. Yes, to some extent, it had eased vehicular traffic jams a bit. However, it had resulted to a host of many other problems and inconveniences. Worse, mostly had economic and financial implications. For one, the port area was congested with unwithdrawn containers. Moreover, with their containers stuck at the port area, the manufacturing activities of importers and exporters alike had slowed down.
Nastily, these importers/exporters, as well as, the banks