DOTr offers free skills training, livelihood projects for unconsolidated operators, drivers
As the national government starts the crackdown on jeepney operators who failed to meet the April 30 deadline for consolidation, the Department of Transportation (DOTr) is giving their drivers the option to avail of the livelihood programs intended for those who would be affected by the implementation of the Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program (PUVMP).
DOTr Secretary Jaime J. Bautista said long before the April 30 deadline, they have already initiated the Tsuper Iskolar and enTSUPERneur programs which provide free skills training, skills assessment, and entrepreneurship training as alternative sources of income.
“We have intiated this program in collaboration with TESDA (Technical Education and Skills Development Authority). Those who could no longer operate, we are happy to give them training for other sources of livelihood,” said Bautista.
Under the program, beneficiaries are provided scholarship grants and skills training to improve their livelihood in line with the Public Transport Modernization Program (PTMP).
The EnTSUPERneur” program, on the other hand, is in partnership with the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) that aims to provide alternative sources of income to PUV drivers and operators.
On May 16, the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) started the crackdown on PUV operators and drivers who failed to consolidate into either a corporation or a cooperative as part of the PUV Modernization program.
The consolidation is the first phase of the PUV Modernization.
Based on the initial LTFRB data, there are around 10,000 jeepney operators and drivers who failed to meet the April 30 final deadline for consolidation.
LTFRB chairman Teofilo Guadiz III said several drivers have already availed of the livelihood projects, most of them put up car shops in their respective communities.