ONLY an estimated 3,500 out of the 19,000 public utility jeepney (PUJ) drivers and operators submitted their application form to avail the social compensation package offered by the Davao City government, as they were still reluctant with the High Priority Bus System (HPBS), a city project official revealed.
As of Wednesday, March 4, HPBS social development program in-charge Norman Baloro said a total of 3,564 drivers and operators submitted their HPBS application forms.
According to the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) and the Davao City Transport and Traffic Management Office (CTTMO), there are a total of 19,249 PUJ drivers and operators in the city - 12,264 drivers and 6,985 are operators. However, Baloro said the data is still being validated.
The city government has given them until Tuesday, March 10, to submit their HPBS application forms.
Baloro said they had set the deadline to give way for the verification and the eligibility of the applicants.
“It is important to make sure that we verify the information and documents submitted by our PUJ drivers and operators,” he told Sunstar Davao in a phone interview Thursday, March 5.
Based on their initial assessment, some drivers lacked requirements and were then informed to comply.
He added there were also drivers who applied, but were not enlisted by their operators during the application.
He also said the city government is meticulous in checking their eligibility.
Most of the drivers and operators who have not yet filed, he said, are not yet “embracing” the modern bus system project, which would phase out PUJs in its full implementation.
Baloro said their hesitation are reasonable since they fear that it will not fully commence.
“Ato mga drivers and operators are still reluctant in embracing the high priority bus project kay naa sila pagduha nga dili siya madayun (because they have woes that it would not prosper),” he said.
He added some are hesitant that once they apply, they might not be eligible.
However, he said they are encouraged to take advantage of the compensation since the city government allocated the grant for them.
For drivers and operators who will submit beyond the deadline, Baloro assured they would still be catered but they will be prioritized late.
During the consultation organized by the city government and LTFRB, Baloro said majority of the drivers were dismayed with the given assistance.
But he said the compensations are justifiable since it went a thorough study and consultation, before it was proposed.
“It might not be enough to perfectly addressed those (concerns of the) displaced drivers, bit it can augment, and somewhat give opportunity to them not to be totally displaced,” Baloro said.
To give more clarity to their concerns, the official said they are encouraged to visit the HPBS Office at the second floor of Pasalubong Center along Palma Gil Street.