DOTr insists on 'coops' for PUV drivers

The Department of Transportation (DOTr) on Tuesday insisted public utility vehicle (PUV) drivers to join accredited cooperatives, as the agency emphasized its benefits. 

DOTr-Office of Transportation Cooperatives (OTC) chairperson Jesus Ortega made the remark amid the ongoing week-long transport strike against the PUV Modernization Program, which requires drivers to join cooperatives.

“Pagnagkooperatiba tayo magiging propesyonal na ang negosyo nila sa transportation kesa mag-isa lang ang isang jeepney driver. Pero kung magsama-sama sila kunyari 15 or more, kaya nila pagtulungan kung paano mamaintain ang mga sasakyan, kaya nila pagtulungan ang gastusin, kaya nila pag-usapan paano maimprove ang kanilang mga buhay,” said Ortega.

(Their transportation business will become more professional if they join cooperatives than a jeepney driver alone. If they group together, let's say 15 or more, they can work together on how to maintain the vehicles, they can work together on the expenses, and they can talk about how to improve their lives.)

Ortega also said that through cooperatives, PUV drivers will have a regular salary with benefits such as SSS, PhilHealth, and insurance.

“Para ka ng empleyado ng isang kumpanya alam mo na ang kikitain mo araw-araw, may SSS ka na, PhilHealth, at insurance, at mayroon ka pang komisyon at the end of the year. So ibang iba na ang magiging sitwasyon ng ating jeepney driver kesa noong nakaraan,” he added.

(The jeepney driver will have a regular salary like an employee of a company. They will have SSS, PhilHealth, and insurance, and they will also get commission at the end of the year. So the situation of our jeepney driver will be different than in the past.)

The DOTr official said more than 1,800 accredited cooperatives with around 200,000 members have been recorded as of January.

The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) earlier extended the deadline for jeepney operators to form cooperatives until December 31, 2023.

The PUV modernization program aims to replace traditional jeepneys with vehicles powered by more environment-friendly fuels. Operators and drivers can apply for new franchises but as part of transport cooperatives. —VAL, GMA Integrated News