CA upholds phaseout of 15-year old buses

The Court of Appeals upheld the decision of the Transportation department to phaseout old buses, GMA's Ivan Mayrina reported on "State of the Nation by Jessica Soho" Thursday.

"This court recognizes the aim of transport officials concerned to establish a modern transport system intended to make the public safe and secure while commuting," the appellate court said in its decision.

The CA cited the number of vehicular accidents involving buses for its ruling.

"The reason is obvious: Life is irreplaceable, property is not. When the state's exercise of police power clashes with a few individuals' right to property, the former should prevail," the decision read.

In 2002, the Department of Transportation and Communication ordered the modernization of buses.

However, until now many decrepit buses are still seen on the streets.

Passengers lauded the appellate court's decision.

"Mas ligtas...'yung mga luma kasi tumitigil tigil," a passenger said.

The National Confederation of Transport workers has plans to appeal the decision to the Supreme Court because thousands of workers for mini bus operators will be affected.

"Kung bibigyan kami ng financing o tutulungan na makakuha ng bagong unit mas okay sana 'yun. Kasama naman 'yun sa prayer namin," said Ernie Aguilar of the National Confederation of Transport Workers.

The Transportation department assured bus operators that they are planning to grant soft loans to implement the transportation modernization program in the transport sector particularly for jeepneys and buses.

"We recognize social implications (in) profit, employment. Aim is not to displace people. We will rationalize the phaseout...studying ways to implement," Department of Transportation spokesperson Cherrie Mercado said. — John Ted Cordero/BAP, GMA News