OPERATORS of Public Utility Jeepneys (PUJs) in Northern Mindanao are expected to receive their "Pantawid Pasada" cash assistance before this month ends, the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB)-Northern Mindanao said on Wednesday, August 15.

LTFRB-Northern Mindanao director Aminoden Guro said the distribution of cash cards is likely to happen in the last week of August.

He said operators are receiving P5,000 cash grant per unit.

"Kung pila kabuok unit sa operator will be multiplied to P5,000. Medyo nalangan ang pag print sa cash card sa Manila so basin karong bulana madistribute na," he said.

Guro said around 3,066 units are on their list so far, even as he urged operators to check in their office if their units are included.

He explained that operators are the ones receiving the cash aid and not the drivers because the LTFRB holds the records of PUJ operators.

"Operators man ang naa sa atong record dili man mga drivers. Hangyo nato sa mga operators to check in our office kung naapil ilang units kay naa man pud i-fill up nga form nga gamiton pag claim," Guro said.

However, a transport group leader said the drivers should supposed be the recipients of the "Pantawid Pasada."

Joel Gabatan of the National Confederation of Transport Union (NCTU) said the drivers are the ones affected by the price increases of commodities.

"Mao na ang mali kay dapat ang drivers maoy tagaan kay sila man ang gatubil mao gani ang mga drivers maoy nangayi sa dugang plitehan," Gabatan said.

"Maong magsabot-sabot na lang gyud ani ang mga operators ug mga drivers. Mga 5,000 tanan units sa region pero ang matagaan is naa pa sa 3,000 kapin," he added.