Tricycle drivers and students of the Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP)-Sta. Mesa opposed the planned demolition of the Hipodromo Tricycle Operators and Drivers Associations (HI-TODA) terminal in front of the campus to make way for the expansion of the Philippine National Railways (PNR). The announcement stated that the TODA terminal’s location would be fenced off on June 16.

To resist the plan, PUP formations led by Sandigan ng Mag-aaral para sa Sambayanan PUP and a representative from the National Union of People’s Lawyers (NUPL) held a meeting and consultation with TODA on June 14. TODA narrated that they suddenly received an order to vacate their terminal without prior notice, consultation, or planned relocation for the terminal.

The eviction will deprive at least 132 drivers of their livelihood. The measure will also affect communities and students around PUP because the TODA operates in Teresa, Pureza, and other areas.

The meeting revealed that the TODA is being charged a “debt” of ₱1.5 million as payment for rent at the site. This amount reportedly accumulated during the pandemic when they could not operate and the terminal was unused. Previously, TODA paid a monthly rent of ₱25,000, which members paid by dividing the amount among themselves at ₱512 per tricycle unit.

The consultation set out measures for the TODA and students to head off the planned eviction. With NUPL’s help, they agreed on submitting a formal letter to PNR management to question the basis and legality its decision. They will also challenge the claimed ₱1.5 million debt.

The drivers also requested the PNR to assign to them a small space for the terminal if it decides to immediately fence off the property. They requested the PUP management to allow them to have park their tricycles inside the campus. In addition, they called on the councils of Barangay 628 and 630 to issue permits allowing them to park in adjacent streets, especially around Teresa.

The PNR expansion is linked to the North-South Commuter Railway Project (NSRP), which is set to build a railway system from Clark, Pampanga to Calamba City, Laguna. The Asian Development Bank (ADB) and Japanese International Cooperation Agency (JICA) are funding the project, which the Duterte regime first implemented under the Build! Build! Build! program. The NSCRP covers the South Commuter Railway Project (SCRP), which passes through Blumentritt to Calamba and includes the Sta. Mesa PNR station.

Aside from the eviction of the tricycle terminal, many cases of demolition and eviction of poor communities have also been reported in areas where the NSCRP

SAMASA PUP called the youth to support the drivers and those affected by the fencing off and other evictions. “(L))et us join the drivers’ struggle to assert their right to livelihood,” the group said.