A total of 4,700 special permits have been issued to the public utility jeepneys operators out of the 6,600 registered PUJs in the city.
Atty. Armand Dioso, director of the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board in Davao Region said special permits grant the drivers the authority to charge P9.00 as initial fare for four kilometers and an additional of one peso per kilometer thereafter, provided safety protocol are followed by providing shields in every seat and limiting the number of passengers to half in every PUJ.
He told the Davao City Disaster Radio that as far as the buses are concerned the local governments of Davao de Oro and Davao Oriental have asked for additional trip for every destination in these provinces from one trip per day per destination anywhere in Davao Region.
Dioso said two trips-per area destination are already allowed in Davao de Oro and Davao Oriental.
“We are coordinating this with the LGU concerned, because based on our mandate, every move has the approval of the LGU in allowing the operation of public conveyance in their area,” he said.
With the control measures imposed by the LGUs, he said there is also a limitation in the deployment of buses in their area of responsibility.
Dioso also explained that the assistance program for the drivers in the city remains pending at the Department of Social Welfare and Development.
He said the beneficiaries who might receive assistance are based on the list of the Drivers’ Academy Program, an institution prior the issuance of permit to drive a public vehicle.
Dioso said the operation of the public utility vans has to wait since the Land Transportation and Regulatory Board is still coordinating with the local government units in Davao Region if they are allowed to work.
He said it will be a gradual deployment of public conveyances.
“We are still waiting for the go-signal from the local government units,” Dioso said.
He underscored that all drivers under the Driver’s Academy Program operate PUJs, buses and vans.
Dioso said these drivers comprise the beneficiaries of the assistance from the government of which the list is being cross-matched by the Department of Social Welfare and Development with the list of the LTFRB-national office. (PIA XI- Joey Sem G. Dalumpines)