Traditional jeepneys (MANILA BULLETIN)

A recently filed bill in the 19th Congress seeks an across-the-board, 20 percent discount to indigent public utility vehicle (PUV) drivers on the payment of fees and other requirements needed in securing a professional driver’s license.

Davao City 1st district Rep. Paolo Duterte, Benguet lone district Rep. Eric Yap, and ACT-CIS Party-list Rep. Edvic Yap jointly filed House Bill (HB) No.8070 last May 11.

The sought discount covers examination fees, certificates, clearances and enrollment in accredited driving schools.

On top of the implementation of the PUV Modernization Program, Duterte, the lead author said the numerous requirements imposed by the Land Transportation Office (LTO) in applying for a professional drivers’ license adds to the financial woes of PUV drivers, especially those living in poverty.

Under LTO Memorandum Circular 2021-2284, applying for a professional driver’s license requires the applicant to be at least 18 years old, a non-professional driver’s license holder for at least one year, and able to pass a written exam and practical driving test.

The applicant must also submit a medical certificate, secure a clearance from the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) or the Philippine National Police (PNP) and complete a minimum of eight-hour practical driving lessons from any driving school accredited by the LTO or the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA).

“While the intention of the memorandum is to promote road safety and proper motorist behavior, such requirements would add to the burden of the PUV drivers who are now even tasked to buy modernized and climate-friendly vehicles," the authors said, referring to the PUV Modernization Program.

Citing data from the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB), the solons pointed out that some 430,000 PUV drivers would be affected by the new requirements set by the LTO in getting a professional driver’s license.

Through HB No.8070, Duterte and his fellow authors proposed that indigent PUV drivers applying for professional driver’s licenses be given a 20 percent discount on the payment of the following: 1) certified true copy of birth certificate from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA); 2) medical certificate from an LTO-accredited clinic or physician; 3) NBI clearance; 4) PNP clearance; 5) enrollment fees for the theoretical and practical driving courses given by LTO- and TESDA-accredited driving schools; 6) examination fees; and 7) other government-issued documents and fees required by the LTO.

Without the discount, the estimated total cost of these requirements would be between P4,000 and P7,000.

Indigent PUV driver-applicants will also receive a fixed daily allowance for expenses that they will incur in commuting to and from their chosen driving schools as provided in the measure.

The bill also states that the LTO “shall reduce the requirement that Professional Driver’s License applicants should be holders of valid Non-Professional Driver’s License for one year before application down to three months” for indigent PUV drivers.

Indigent PUV drivers are also given priority in enrolling at accredited driving schools where the courses are free of charge.

Public officers or employees refusing to provide the benefits granted under the measure will be slapped with fines ranging from P5,000 to P20,000.