Qualified public utility vehicle (PUV) operators could get their hands on the direct cash assistance under the "Bayanihan to Recover as One Act" or Bayanihan 2 by Monday next week.
This was announced by Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board-National Capital Region (LTFRB-NCR) Director Zona Tamayo Wednesday during a virtual hearing of the House Transportation Committee.
Panel chairman, Samar 1st district Rep. Edgar Mary Sarmiento wanted to get an update on the implementation of programs for the transport sector that received funds under Bayanihan 2--a P165-billion stimulus package designed to prop up sectors heavily affected by the COVID-19 pandemic-triggered economic slump.
Tamayo said the LTFRB had been designated by the Department of Transportation (DoTr ) as implementing agency for its programs under the measure.
"There are two main programs under the Bayanihan 2 which we are tasked to implement. First is the direct cash benefit for our operators, and the second is the service contracting program. For the information of the committee, as regards the P1.2 billion allotted for the road sector for direct cash benefit, we have all documents placed and data is already transmitted to Landbank, with Landbank acting as the one that will actually deposit the direct cash benefit to our operators," she said.
"When can the operators accept the assistance?" Sarmiento asked.
"We're looking at Friday, and hopefully by afternoon of Friday or early Monday sir, the operators with the required data...will already receive their allocation for the direct cash benefit. Nationwide po ito. (This is nationwide). The operators are allotted P6,500 per unit," the LTFRB official said.
Asked if this means the cash aid could be downloaded from the operators to the jeepney drivers within the next two weeks, Tamayo answered, "yes sir."
But Alliance of Concerned Transport Organization (ACTO) President Efren de Luna told the panel that it wasn't all good news for their members. ACTO boasts over 400,000 members nationwide.
"Maganda po yung sinasabi na magkakaroon po ng benefit. Pero doon po sa mga requirement nila, tiyak po na hindi kami makakasali. Hindi makakasali ang karamihan ng mga tinatawag na individual operator (It's good to hear that there would be benefits. But based on their requirements, we won't be eligible. Most so-called individual operators won't be eligible)," De Luna said.
"Sabi nila direkta sa operator. Pero ang nangyayari lamang po dito ay mga corporation lamang po at yung mga kooperatiba ang number one na makikinabang dito. Hindi po yung mga individual operator (They say it's direct to the operator. But it's only the corporations and cooperates that would number one benefit from this. Not the individual operators)," he added.
De Luna said there's a need to clarify who the intended beneficiaries of the direct assistance are--the PUV operators or the drivers.
Sarmiento responded by saying that he would personally raise the jeepney drivers' concerns to higher authorities in the LTFRB.
"An assurance from me--bukas na bukas may aksyong matatanggap kayo (you will receive action by tomorrow)," the congressman told De Luna, who expressed his appreciation.