Inter-agency meet seeks fixed pay for bus drivers

In the wake of several bus-related accidents in recent months, labor and transportation agencies have formulated a three-point strategy to allow a fixed salary and improved working conditions for public utility bus (PUB) drivers. At least five agencies led by the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) said the plan will also take into account ways to implement a “moratorium" on transport strikes. “One of the agreements was also to adopt a fixed compensation scheme that provides for a fixed rate or salary plus performance-based pay scheme for bus drivers and conductors. This conforms to our two-tier wage system reform that we are pursuing," DOLE Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz said in a news release posted on the government portal Tuesday night. The DOLE met with representatives of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority, Land Transportation Office, Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board, and Philippine National Police Highway Patrol Group to thresh out the strategy. Also present at the meeting were University of the Philippines Department of Psychology Dr. Aurora Mendoza, and mayors Sherwin Gatchalian (Valenzuela), Aldrin San Pedro (Muntinlupa), and Del de Guzman (Marikina). On the possible transport strike moratorium, the participants agreed to present a proposal to the transport sector for discussion. In October, the DOLE said it will convene a general meeting of all government regulatory agencies, PUB operators and drivers, and the transport sector for a presentation and signing of a joint social accord that will set in motion the implementation of all the agreements. 3-point action plan National Wages and Productivity Commission Executive Director Ciriaco Lagunzad said the government sector drew up an action plan to implement strategies on three key areas:

• Working conditions and compensation scheme
• Improving drivers’ competency and road safety knowledge
• Possible moratorium on transport strike

On the compensation scheme, the participants agreed to hold a series of focused group discussions on hours of work, health and safety. They also agreed that DOLE, after consultation with the Industry Tripartite Council-Transport Sector and other stakeholders, should come up with a DOLE issuance to improve bus drivers’ working conditions. Also, local government units will include improved working conditions as a requirement to operate terminals in Metro Manila; and of the LTFRB’s requirements for franchise application. Government sector representatives agreed to improve and expand training regulations to improve drivers’ competence, and to adopt a strict system for professional driver’s licenses. “On this matter, the participants have agreed to define inter-agency coordination in the inclusion of Technical Education and Skills Development Authority’s National Certificate III as a requirement for the issuance of a professional driver’s license and bus transport franchise to eliminate the so-called “colorum" buses," said Baldoz. Lagunzad also reported the agreement to improve infrastructure and road design to ensure smooth, safe and efficient traffic system, and to develop of a unified traffic enforcement database as basis for planning and policy formulation. — LBG, GMA News