NCR jeepney drivers to get aid

JEEPNEY DRIVERS in the National Capital Region (NCR) will be prioritized for an emergency employment program set to be rolled out next month, the Department of Labor and Employment (DoLE) said on Monday, marking the initial phase of a P1.2-billion support fund for vulnerable workers amid a national energy emergency.

Leilani M. Reynoso, director of the DoLE-Bureau of Workers with Special Concerns (BWSC), said the agency is finalizing implementation details this week, with full deployment expected after the Lenten break.

“Our priority and focus for now is jeepney drivers, to provide them with immediate income relief and alternative livelihood,” Ms. Reynoso told BusinessWorld via teleconference, in a mix of English and Filipino. “The emphasis is really on immediate income relief, as jeepney drivers report struggling with rising fuel prices while fares have not increased, which affects their take-home pay.”

She added that the program also aims to prevent drivers from stopping operations, ensuring commuters and large sectors of workers can continue to reach their workplaces.

Of the P1.2-billion allocation, P1 billion has been earmarked for the Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers (TUPAD) program, while P200 million is set aside for the DoLE Integrated Livelihood Program.

Ms. Reynoso noted that existing guidelines for the programs will be supplemented with provisions specific to transport workers.

Under the proposed guidelines, beneficiaries are expected to earn the prevailing minimum wage for 15 to 20 days. She added that the initiative could work alongside the Department of Social Welfare and Development’s P5,000 fuel subsidy, with TUPAD providing subsequent income support.

The initial phase targets jeepney drivers along key NCR routes, including Commonwealth Avenue, Marcos Highway, España Boulevard, and the Caloocan-Zapote corridor.

Expansion to Metro Cebu and Metro Davao is also in the pipeline to address similar transport sector vulnerabilities. Tricycle and water transport drivers may be included in later phases.

“We are also considering the water transport sector, such as small-motorized boats, which our regional offices have reported are heavily affected as well,” Ms. Reynoso said.

For the private sector, the department continues to promote flexible work arrangements and telecommuting to mitigate the impact of high energy costs on workers. Ms. Reynoso said that such measures, which were refined during the pandemic, could help reduce commuting expenses and promote work-life balance during the current energy emergency.

While the P1.2 billion represents an initial funding cap, Ms. Reynoso indicated that the department is prepared to manage the implementation through batches to ensure a continuous supply of public transportation for workers. — Erika Mae P. Sinaking