P650-M social package for drivers, operators ready

THE CITY government has prepared a social package for drivers and operators who will be affected by the transportation modernization project.

During a recent press conference, Mayor Sara Duterte told reporters that a total of P650 million worth of social package from

Congress is kept by the city to compensate public utility jeepney drivers and operators who may be displaced by the High Bus Priority

System (HPBS).

“This has been the top priority that the city government has taken care of for our drivers and operators. We provided social packages to those who will be affected by the transport modernization program, particularly the implementation of the HPBS,” she said.

The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (Tesda), and Commission

on Higher Education (CHED) provide programs that would benefit drivers and operators.

The DTI has allotted P95 million for the creation

of more than 10,000 livelihood kits for the drivers and operators. The CHED, meanwhile, allotted P300 million for family members, including a four-year college scholarship.

“Even if their children already started college, this assistance can still be availed through CHED,” she said.

All affected drivers and operators in the list of beneficiaries from the records of the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board and the City Transport and Traffic Management Office should enlist themselves to be included in the social package.

Meanwhile, the city government already scheduled orientations for the affected drivers. Guidelines were also provided for them to be guided accordingly.

Orientations will be conducted in Toril on Jan. 14, Calinan on Jan. 21, Bunawan on Jan. 24, and Poblacion areas on Jan. 30.

“Drivers and operators can visit and attend any of these areas with their schedules. There will be seminars and lectures on how to access all these social packages,” she said. “Each driver can access all the assistance plus their cash.”

The initial phase of the implementation is expected to begin within the first half of this year.