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The Alliance of Concerned Truck Owners and Organizations is asking for the relaxation of policies that “don’t call urgency” as the sector faces the effects of high fuel prices due to the ongoing Middle East conflict
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ACTOO vice president Rina Papa said they are asking “not to be treated as the problem but partners in seeing through these most difficult times”
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The call follows a roadside inspection conducted by the Land Transportation Office on April 23 along C-3 wherein some truckers reported that they were asked for bribes to settle alleged violations
The Alliance of Concerned Truck Owners and Organizations (ACTOO) is asking for the relaxation of policies that “don’t call urgency” as the sector faces the effects of high fuel prices as a result of the ongoing Middle East conflict.
“We are asking for support and recognition that we too need the government in this crisis. Not to be treated as the problem but partners in seeing through these most difficult times,” ACTOO vice president Rina Papa told PortCalls in a Viber message.
The call follows a roadside inspection conducted by the Land Transportation Office (LTO) on April 23 along C-3 wherein some truckers reported that they were asked for bribes to settle their alleged violations.
ACTOO said a member trucker reported that some truckers who had their franchise or provisional authority (PA) with them during the inspection were instead fined for such alleged violations as worn-out tires, which were actually still roadworthy. But instead of the official penalty fee for the violation, the enforcer instead asked to “settle” for a lower amount off the books and the trucker will incur demerit points for the violation.
One trucker reportedly opted to pay P2,000 instead of P5,000 per worn-out tire.
Those caught operating without a franchise or PA were also asked to give a payoff.
Papa said their main point is that amid the current crisis, it is difficult enough managing the high oil prices without having to face a “squeeze” from authorities on the road.
“Hindi ba dapat at this point of crisis ang direksyon ng lahat tulungan, ‘di ba? (Shouldn’t our direction be helping each in this crisis?) In fact, we have been lobbying for a smoother flow of commodities, e ‘di ba–alisin ang (remove the) truck ban ganyan di ba? E ngayon nagdadagdag pa sila ng (But now they’ve even added) checkpoints,” the ACTOO official said.
“Tapos (And) over matters na sa totoo lang wala namang (that do not really call for) urgency. Yung mga trucks hindi naman ba-byahe ‘yan if they think na delikado na ‘yung truck nila e, di ba? Nasa sa amin ang unang pananagutan. So it’s on us ‘pag naaksidente kami kaya ayaw namin mangyari yun, di ba?” Papa said.
She noted that ACTOO had already raised the issue with the LTO, Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board, and the Department of Transportation.
READ: Cargo trucks to raise rates or halt operations as diesel price spirals
ACTOO had earlier called on the government to step up and provide “prompt and fair solutions” to rising fuel prices, which it describes as “an existential threat to the road freight sector and the consumers it serves.”
The group noted that one-third of truck operating expenses already go to fuel, and can’t simply absorb price shocks.
ACTOO recommends the adoption of short-term interventions such as expanding fuel price relief programs to truckers, and removal of value-added tax (VAT) on essential inputs directly tied to freight service delivery such as diesel, spare parts, tires, and safety-critical maintenance items.
The group also asks for the institutionalization of fuel and toll safeguards as well as VAT relief on essential inputs, as well as automatic activation of relief during fuel spikes, inflation, shocks, or disasters.
ACTOO is also calling for a coherent freight mobility framework via a comprehensive review of all national and local policies to ensure consistency and rootedness in actual logistics operations. The group suggests structural reforms, including harmonizing all policies to avoid contradictions in implementation.— Roumina Pablo
