Jeepney drivers split on fixed salary rules

Jeepney drivers are divided on whether they prefer to earn fixed salaries instead of commissions from the current boundary system, Mark Salazar reported on "24 Oras."

According to the report, the reason for the minimum wage for public utility vehicles is to lessen road accidents due to drivers competing for passengers.

With this proposal, jeepney drivers will earn P537 in an 8-hour trip with overtime and holiday pay.

Although it may seem like a good idea, some jeepney drivers were against the proposal.

For Lito Puliao, the P537 he will earn in 8 hours is not enough for his family.

"Hindi sasapat lalo na kung may pinapaaral kang kolehiyo. Eh kung talagang masipag, P2000 sa isang araw kaya pa eh, malayong-malayo sa panukala nilang magkano lang," he said.

Federation of Jeepney Operators and Drivers Association of the Philippines (FEJODAP) president Zenaida Maranan said that the families of operators are only looking forward to boundaries from their drivers.

"Sa jeep, nabubuhay lang kami para buhayin ang pamilya ng mga operator na umaasa sa boundary na ibibigay ng driver na kung maganda ang kita ay mabibigyan ka, kung hindi naman, mababawasan pa," she said.

Meanwhile, Liga ng Transport Operations national president Rolando Marquez said the fixed salary rule will be unfair for other drivers.

"Mayroong mga ruta na mahina ang biyahe and mayroong malalakas ang biyahe. Kung gagawing suwelduhan, mas marami ang 'di makakakaya," he said.

However, Carlos Lasala, who has been a jeepney driver for 37 years already, said the minimum wage proposal is a good idea.

"Isipin mo, may minimum na. Kung ayaw mo nang magtrabaho, mayroon ka ng minimum. Bukod doon, hindi na kami kailangang kumuha sa malayuan," he said.

In 2012, the Department of Labor and Employment issued Department Order No. 118-12 or the part-fixed-part-performance-based compensation system for bus drivers' and conductors' wage.

The order resulted in the implementation of the labor standards, including monetary and social benefits and workplace safety and health measures. —Ma. Angelica Garcia/MGP, GMA News