Tugade reminds DOTr offices to assist drivers, conductors hit by COVID-19

Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade on Monday called on all agencies under the department to coordinate and make employment opportunities available for drivers and conductors who have resorted to begging after losing their source of income.

In a video message, Tugade reminded the Department of Transportation (DOTr), particularly the road sector including the Land Transportation Office (LTO) and the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) of previous instructions.

"Mariin kong inuulit ang aking naging direktiba sa LTFRB na silipin kung paano matutulungan ang mga konduktor na naapekthan ang kabuhayan dahil sa pandemya," he said.

(I emphatically repeat my previous directive to the LTFRB to look into how we can assist conductors whose livelihoods were affected by the pandemic.)

In the same message, Tugade likewise called on operators to provide assistance to conductors affected.

"Nananawagan din ho ako sa ating mga katuwang na operator na huwag ninyong pabayaan ang inyong mga konduktor. Tulungan natin sila (I am calling on operators not to brush aside the conductors but instead help them)," he said.

This comes as drivers and conductors have resorted to begging in buses, as passengers would rather avail of the free transportation for authorized persons outside of residence (APOR).

In his message, Tugade noted that he ordered offices to employ drivers and conductors under the service contracting initiative of the DOTr which started last year.

Under the program, the DOTr hires drivers affected by the COVID-19 pandemic for some P6,500 which they may use to pay for debts, fuel, and other operational and maintenance expenses or to purchase safety equipment, supplies, and facilities.—AOL, GMA News