The City government has been doing its best in planning for the financial assistance given to the drivers affected by the modernization of the public transport system, the city traffic chief said.
“The drivers and operators will have separate financial assistance. The city is still assessing how much should we give to the drivers and operators,” said City Transport and Traffic Management Office (CTTMO) chief Dionisio Abude.
Around 7,000 affected Public Utility Vehicle (PUV) drivers and operators will be prioritized by the city government for employment.
Through the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), they can also avail of skills training to make them qualify as drivers of the High Priority Bus System (HPBS) which is expected to roll-out this year.
Abude said qualified drivers will be endorsed to the bus operators to be hired as drivers of the new transport system.
He clarified that the drivers will be employed as regular workers and not percentage-based, which means they are entitled to social and health insurance under PhilHealth, Pag-Ibig and the Social Security System (SSS). Drivers who will not be hired can be absorbed as workers in bus terminals.
He added that PUV drivers and operators should not worry losing their livelihood as there will be new opportunities and available jobs prepared by the government for them.
This project is among the priority agenda of Mayor Sara Duterte to provide safe and convenient transportation for the Davaoeño as well as the visitors of the city.
