WHAT was initially seen to address the sad plight of passenger jeepney drivers, who have not been earning amid government-imposed restrictions, turned out to be nothing but a hoax. The promise to pay them for hailing healthcare workers to and from their workplace only resulted in deeper debt.
Since the Department of Transportation (DOTr) made an announcement four weeks ago about tapping the displaced transport sector in a program where they stand to get paid on a per kilometer basis by giving free rides to healthcare workers amid the re-imposition of stringent lockdown levels in areas with a notably high infection rate, the promise has remained as such – just a promise.
Affected by the DOTr’s promise are drivers plying 44 Metro Manila routes.
These passenger jeepneys were made to comply with a long list of requirement to qualify under the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board’s (LTFRB) service contracting program. Oh yeah, they were compelled to borrow money here and there if only to jumpstart their stalled livelihood.
Under the LTFRB Memorandum Circular, jeepney drivers would be receiving P11.00 for every kilometer that they’re operating, while bus drivers should be getting P23.10 per kilometer.
After compliance, they started plying their respective routes and hailed the pre-identified passengers, hoping to get paid but only to find out later they’re duped. Yes, they were not able to collect after rendering the services and spending on fuel, plus the cost of the compliance.
Last Wednesday, a longtime friend and schoolmate Ronald Laurel, who is also into a transport-related business, sent me messages with links that took me to a social media post of one Reynado Liwag. I don’t know Mr. Liwag, but taking cue from his Facebook post, I am inclined to believe that he is among the thousands of jeepney drivers who were duped by the dubious scheme of some government officials.
His posts, which are addressed to Tranport Secretary Arthur Tugade, LTFRB Chief Martin Delgra Assistant Secretary Alberto Suansing and Assistant Secretary Pastor reads:
“Good morning po. Kami ay sumunod sa programa nyo, nagbuo ng coop, nag modernize, sumunod sa free ride, at ang sabi kami ay babayaran per kilometer, umaasa po kami sa nasabing programa na kami ay mababayaran. Pinaasa nyo kami sa pangako na agad ibibigay ang pay out… Umabot na po sa 230k ang konsumo po namin sa fuel pa lang mula March 29 to April 12. Sa laki ng aming pagkakautang, kailangan na namin magbayad. Pero saan naman kami kukuha ng pambayad kung kami mismo ay hindi pa binabayaran ng pamahalaan? Tumigil kami sa free ride April 13 dahil wala na po kami pang fuel.”
When these poor jeepney drivers stopped plying the road, the LTFRB came out with another circular promising higher pay for those who may want to qualify under the LTFRB) service contracting program. From P11 per kilometer, the LTFRB said that the government will be paying P27 per kilometer for traditional jeepneys and P45.50 per kilometer for buses.
Allow me to share the post of LTFRB on its Facebook page:
Bibigyan ng dagdag na insentibo ang kada kilometrong tatakbuhin ng ating mga Public Utility Vehicle (PUV) driver na kasalukuyang kasali at interesado pa sumali sa Service Contracting Program ng Department of Transportation (DOTr) at ng Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB).
Base sa LTFRB Memorandum Circular 2021-28, ang dating PHP 11.00 per kilometer ay itinaas na sa PHP 27.00 kada kilometrong byahe ng mga Traditional Public Utility Jeepney (TPUJ) at Modern Public Utility Jeepneys (MPUJ). Para naman sa mga Public Utility Bus (PUB), mula PHP 23.10, dinagdagan ang bayad kada kilometro na ngayon ay nasa PHP 45.50. Ang mas pinataas na rate na ito ay epektibo na simula noong ika-16 ng Abril 2021.
Para sa mga interesadong driver mula sa ibang rehiyon, maaari dumulog sa inyong LTFRB Regional Franchising and Regulatory Offices (RFRO) upang maging bahagi ng Service Contracting.
Maaari magrehistro ang interesadong driver na bukas na ang ruta ngayong pandemya sa pamamagitan ng link na ito: www.servicecontracting.ph
Narito naman ang dokumentaryong gabay patungkol sa programa: bit.ly/LTFRBSCManual
Upang magsilbing gabay sa pag rehistro sa programa, maaari lamang ay panoorin ang video na ito: bit.ly/SCVideoInfomercial
Regular na bisitahin ang LTFRB Official Facebook page para sa mga karagdagang impormasyon na ilalabas, patungkol sa Service Contracting Program sa mga susunod na araw. Para naman sa mga karagdagang katanungan, maaring tumawag sa LTFRB Program Implementing Unit Office – (02) 8529 – 7111 loc 845 o sa LTFRB 24/7 Hotline: 1342.
Kapal naman ng mukha niyo. Palibhasa nakasanayan niyo nang magnakaw, kaya sinasanay niyo na din mang-estafa and to think you guys are preying on the hapless poor who could hardly earn enough to feed their family.
I have something for these nincompoops at the DOTr and the LTFRB – You may dupe anyone except the poor for all I care.