Displacement of jeep drivers amid COVID-19 ill-timed –Sen. Binay

Senator Nancy Binay on Saturday called on the government to iron out plans for jeepney drivers who might not be able to resume operating anytime soon as their displacement amid the COVID-19 pandemic was ill-timed.

"'Pag in-implement ang modernization ay mga jeepney drivers na 'di na makakabalik, mawawalan na talaga ng kabuhayan. Talagang may madi-displace na drivers, ang tanong is this the right time na mag-displace tayo ng drivers? Ang daming naapektuhan," Binay said in a radio interview.

Binay noted that traditional jeepney drivers are finding it a challenge to purchase modern jeepneys and that the government will not be able to fully sustain the displaced drivers every month.

"Ang nakakasama pa ng loob imbes na diretsuhin ang mga tsuper kung makakabiyahe... dapat meron silang ginagawang paghahanda paano matutulungan ang mga drivers na 'di na nila pababalikin kasi ang sa tingin ko meron talagang 'di makakabalik," Binay said.

Binay said the government should have trained the jeepney drivers by now if authorities are planning to hire them as contact tracers.

Binay also urged the Department of Transportation and the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) to suspend the phase-out of traditional jeepneys.

"Yes na siguro this is not the right time na ipilit nila kasi matagal na nilang gustong tanggalin ang trad jeepney parang nakakita sila ng butas na siguro pwede nating gawin ito," she said.

The LTFRB is already crafting guidelines for the resumption of operation of traditional jeepneys, the DOTr said.

The government is looking into the possibility of hiring jeepney drivers, who are unable to work due to the COVID-19 pandemic, as contact tracers as the country grapples with the health crisis. — DVM, GMA News