DOLE: Unconsolidated jeepney drivers, operators to receive aid

President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. has directed national agencies to work together and support an alternative livelihood program intended for jeepney drivers and operators displaced by the public utility vehicle modernization program (PUVMP), the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) said on Thursday.

The DOLE will extend at least P30,000 worth of in-kind livelihood assistance to each transport worker affected by the PUVMP under the “enTSUPERneur” livelihood program, Secretary Bienvenido Laguesma said in a press statement.

“More than 4,500 na pong transport workers ang nabigyang-ayuda, at iyon pong naibigay sa kanila ay umaabot na rin sa humigit-kumulang P123 million,” Laguesma said.

(We have extended cash aid to over 4,500 transport workers and have given P123 million worth of assistance.)

“Itong taon na ito, mayroon pong naka-lineup na 1,500 transport workers na nagnanais ding makakuha,” he said.

(This year, at least 1,500 workers expressed intent to receive assistance.)

The “enTSUPERneur” livelihood program is a joint initiative of the DOLE, the Department of Transportation, the Office of Transportation Cooperatives, and the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board. It includes livelihood packages that contain materials, inputs, and market linkages to assist the beneficiaries.

“Mayroon din nga pong direktiba ang ating Pangulong Bongbong Marcos Jr. na mag-converge ang mga departamento na mayroong resources na puwedeng pagsama-samahin at matulungan po yung mga apektadong manggagawa,” said Laguesma. 

(Our President ordered us to converge and pool resources for the program.)

On Monday, Malacañang said the national government has already achieved a 76.6% consolidation rate for jeepneys as part of the PUVMP.  

A total of 97.18% of the registered units of PUJs for 2023, meanwhile, have consolidated in Metro Manila.

PUV operators were given until December 31, 2023, to consolidate, but in a December 25 memorandum, the LTFRB said that individual operators on routes without a consolidated transport service entity (TSE) may be allowed to operate until January 31, 2024.

After the expiry of the memorandum, unconsolidated jeepney drivers and operators stand to lose their franchise and will be considered "colorum."

Started in 2017, the PUVMP aims to replace traditional jeepneys with vehicles that have at least a Euro 4-compliant engine to lessen pollution and replace units that were not deemed roadworthy under the standards of the Land Transportation Office.

The consolidation of individual PUV franchises into cooperatives or corporations is the initial stage of the PUVMP. This aims to pass the burden of acquiring modernized units from operators to the transport entity. — VBL, GMA Integrated News