MANILA – According to Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Secretary Bienvenido Laguesma, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has ordered government agencies to pool resources for a livelihood program for jeepney drivers and operators affected by the public utility vehicle (PUV) modernization program.
Laguesma was referring to the “enTSUPERneur” livelihood program, which would provide at least ₱30,000 worth of in-kind livelihood assistance for affected transport workers.
“Mayroon din nga pong direktiba ang ating Pangulong Bongbong Marcos Jr. na mag-converge ang mga departamento na mayroong resources na puwedeng pagsama-samahin at matulungan po ‘yung mga apektadong manggagawa,” he said in a statement Wednesday.
The program, which is a joint initiative of the DOLE and the Department of Transportation that started in 2021, was also used to extend assistance to public transport drivers and operators affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Over 4,500 transport workers have been given aid totaling around ₱123 million, Laguesma said.
The labor secretary said 1,500 transport workers have lined up to avail of the assistance this year.
Permits of unconsolidated drivers and operators were revoked on Jan. 1 as the franchise consolidation deadline lapsed on Dec. 31, 2023.
Those who did not form or consolidate into a cooperative or corporation under the PUV modernization program are not allowed to ply their routes after Jan. 31, with their vehicles to be tagged as “colorum” by February.
The Department of Social Welfare and Development previously said those affected by the modernization scheme could be categorized as “in crisis,” allowing them to avail of a one-time cash aid under the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS) program.
The Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) has also urged those who may be displaced by the PUV modernization to avail of its free training program to help them “start a new career.”
