P40M paid to over 9,000 drivers in service contracting program —Tugade

Around P40 million was given as initial payout for 9,248 drivers of the service contracting program of the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board, Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade said Thursday night.

In a briefing with President Rodrigo Duterte, Tugade said P11.4 million was also given to drivers from week 1 to 19 of the service contracting program.

He said around P900 million in cash subsidy was also disbursed to operators of 138,181 public utility vehicle units.

Under the service contracting program, public transportation drivers will provide and be paid for services they render based on a plan prepared by the LTFRB and agreed upon by operators.

The driver will be paid with an agreed amount per kilometer of travel during a specified period.

The drivers will receive an initial payout which they may use to pay for debts, fuel, and other operational and maintenance expenses or to purchase safety equipment, supplies, and facilities

“Everybody happy in service contracting,” Tugade said.

Earlier, jeepney drivers in Metro Manila lamented the lack of passengers despite restrictions in the NCR Plus area being eased to a modified enhanced community quarantine.

According to Jun Veneracion’s report on “24 Oras” on Monday, while they are allowed to ply the streets anew, some jeepney drivers chose to not work due to the lack of passengers. — Ma. Angelica Garcia/BM, GMA News