The Department of Transportation (DOTr) will continue pushing for public utility vehicle (PUV) drivers to join accredited cooperatives.
“Pag nag-kooperatiba 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,” DOTr-Office of Transportation Cooperatives (OTC) chairperson Jesus Ortega said in a statement amid the ongoing transport strike against the PUV Modernization Program.
Under the program, PUV drivers are required to join cooperatives.
Ortega said that once PUV drivers join cooperatives, they will be assured of 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 DOTr official added that it has recorded more than 1,800 accredited cooperatives with around 200,000 members as of January.
Meanwhile, the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) has already extended the deadline for jeepney operators to create cooperatives until December 31, 2023.
— Ronald Espartinez