TRANSPORT MODERNIZATION. Commissioner Norman Baloro (right) of the Presidential Commission for the Urban Poor, the focal person for Davao City's bus system project, reports that as of Feb. 14, 2020, about 365 drivers have already enrolled for NC3 certification for bus driving offered by the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority. In a press conference on Monday (Feb. 17, 2020), he said there are 12,264 drivers and 6,985 operators of public utility jeepneys in the city. (PNA photo by Digna Banzon)
DAVAO CITY -- The series of consultations conducted by the city government here among public utility jeepney (PUJ) drivers and operators have helped address issues on the implementation of the High Priority Bus System (HPBS), an official said Tuesday.
In a statement, Assistant City Administrator Tristan Dwight Domingo said the consultations with public utility vehicle (PUV) drivers and operators included social compensation packages in anticipation of any adverse effects of the HPBS, a localized version of the government's public transport modernization program.
During the consultations, Domingo said the local government reminded the operators that selling of franchise is against the law and that those who violate it would be disqualified from the compensation packages.
He called on affected drivers and operators to submit their application for compensation packages at the HPBS office.
Meanwhile, Commissioner Norman Baloro of the Presidential Commission for the Urban Poor (PCUP), focal person for the HPBS project, reported that as of February 14, about 365 drivers have enrolled for NC3 certification for bus driving offered by the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA).
Baloro said the graduates will also be given PHP350 per day as training support fund for 20 days. He said some 3,000 slots remain vacant for PUJ drivers who wish to avail of the TESDA training.
He said the training package is part of the city government's assistance program for PUV drivers and operators who would be affected by the HPBS.
“This will prepare them also once they choose to apply as bus drivers when the bus transport system takes effect," Baloro said.
Aside from the monetary packages, he said non-financial packages (NFP) are also available for the affected drivers and operators, whose family members can also avail of the program up to the fourth degree of affinity or consanguinity.
The NFPs include livelihood training, special skills training with the departments of trade and labor and scholarships for their children.
Baloro said there are 12,264 drivers and 6,985 operators of PUJs in the city.
The HPBS aims to provide quality and efficient public transportation to Dabawenyos and help address the city’s traffic problems, according to local officials.
Under the modernization program, the city government targets to set up assigned bus stops for the proposed 29 routes covering the entire city. (PNA)
