A PROPOSED bill was filed at the House of Representatives that will provide subsidies and other incentives to marginalized members of the transportation sector, particularly drivers of public utility vehicles (PUV) in terms of payment of fees and other requirements for professional driver’s license application.
House Bill 9167 was filed for further action by the House Committee on Transportation.
The proposed measure explained that the intention of the Land Transportation Office (LTO) with regard to imposing stricter policies in the issuance of a driver’s license, especially for new applicants, is good.
It said this will help in ensuring that the country’s roads are safe by having law-abiding drivers.
However, it noted that the LTO should consider some of its requirements that may bring additional expense and burden for poor Filipinos driving PUVs such as jeepney, buses, taxis and tricycles.
When the bill is finally enacted into law, qualified PUV drivers will be given a 20-percent discount in the payment of clearances, certificates and other fees prescribed by the LTO.
Included here are the birth certificate, medical certificate, clearance from the National Bureau of Investigation or the Philippine National Police, examination fees and others.
There will also be a fixed daily allowance that will cover the fare expenses of applicants going to and from their chosen driving school.