Public utility vehicle (PUV) drivers, especially those who were displaced by the pandemic, may register with the service contracting program of the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) starting Wednesday.
In an announcement on Tuesday, the LTFRB said that it will hold a general registration and orientation activity for qualified drivers who want to join the government's new subsidy program to be held at the Quezon City Memorial Circle covered court from November 25 to 29 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Interested applicants were reminded to bring requirements such as original and photocopy of your professional driver’s license; certification signed by operator confirming that you are an authorized driver of the declared unit; two photocopies of your operator's valid ID with three signature; and photocopy of the OR/CR of the unit.
To curb the spread of the coronavirus during the activity, the LTFRB also reminded applicants to bring their own ballpen and wear a face mask and face shield.
For faster processing of the application, the agency encouraged applicants to pre-register online at tinyurl.com/ServiceContracting; or through walk-in at the LTFRB Central Office in Quezon City.
The LTFRB earlier said that at least 60,000 PUV drivers are expected to benefit from the program that will allow them to enter into transport service contracts with the government to help in easing the impact of the pandemic in the transportation sector.
Under the proposed program, the government will provide the payouts for public transportation services where the operators or drivers are given a performance-based subsidy based on vehicle-kilometers traveled and compliance with performance indicators.
Apart from aiding operators and drivers affected by the health crisis, the scheme also aims to help raise the level of service, reliability, and efficiency in the country's public transport system
Some P5.58 billion funding has been allotted for the implementation of the program under the Bayanihan to Recover as One Act or the "Bayanihan 2" to help more drivers which are among the hardest-hit by months of lockdown which suspended all forms of public transportation.
The program was set to run for three months, from October to December this year, as indicated under Bayanihan 2, but the LTFRB and the Department of Transportation previously said they will push for its continuation until next year.