DOTr mulls advance payment for bus operators amid reported delays

Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade on Tuesday said they are studying the possibility of paying bus drivers and operators in advance amid complaints of delayed payments resulting in drivers and conductors losing their jobs.

Interviewed on Unang Balita, Tugade said they are just studying the "protocols" on how the advance payment could be implemented.

"Ini-explore namin yung possibility na babayaran in advance, kung mago-observe tayo ng mga protocol at hindi magiging saliwa sa mga protocol ay willing ako magbayad ng advance para sa ganun yung sinasabing delayed payment ay maiwasan o mawala," he said.

(We are exploring the possibility of advance payment. If it will not violate any protocols then I'm willing to pay drivers in advance so that there will be no complaints of delayed payments. )

The government's Service Contracting Program provides incentives to bus drivers on a per-kilometer basis regardless of the number of passengers, Tugade explained.

Many drivers, however, have complained of delayed payments, prompting them to stop their operations. Conductors, on the other hand, lose their jobs after the government offered free transportation for authorized persons outside of residence (APOR) about a month ago.

So far, around 500 buses are plying EDSA, according to Tugade. He said they are looking into adding more units as the number of passengers has significantly grown after the government made transportation free for APOR.

On Monday, GMA News reported that drivers and conductors have resorted to begging in buses, as passengers would rather avail of the free transportation for APOR.

Tugade assured the drivers that the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) has the funds but the release however is hounded by paperwork.

"Nandidiyan ang pera [the money's there], it's just a matter of releasing processes and clearances," he said.

Tugade also urged the affected drivers and conductors to seek help from the LTFRB. He likewise urged them to "explore alternative employment" being offered by the government.

He said the Department of Transportation is talking with construction and delivery firms for the possible hiring of qualified applicants.

"Yung mga driver at konduktor na nawalan ng trabaho, kung kuwalipikado naman ay sila ay ia-absorb sa trabahong ito [jobless drivers and conductors can be absorbed in these jobs as long as they are qualified]," Tugade said. --KBK, GMA News