Bus drivers need Tesda certification by 2012

PUBLIC utility buses (PUB) in Metro Manila will not be allowed to operate beginning 2012 unless their drivers are trained, assessed and certified by the Technical Education Skills and Development Authority (Tesda). According to former Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) Chairman Alberto Suansing, this is in preparation for the implementation of a new directive from the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) requiring all PUB drivers nationwide to be certified by 2013.

Suansing who is now serving as a consultant at the DOTC and president of the Safety Organization of the Philippines said that bus owners and operators who will refuse to comply with the new regulation might face penalties ranging from suspension to revocation of their franchise.

Data cited by the LTFRB showed that there are 15,557 authorized buses in Metro Manila and about 31,074 drivers, with two drivers for every bus. Nationwide, there are 27,815 buses and 55,630 drivers.

Ninety percent accidents for the past five years are reportedly caused by driving error and equipment defects, while drivers error accounted for over 82 percent of road accidents. The other causes were road condition, climatic condition and pedestrians and animals.

Tesda Executive Director Gabriel Genaro Bordado said that the agency will train a total of 70 trainers and assessors for National Certification (NC) 3 nationwide as part of the measures to improve road safety in the country.

The training program for the prospective trainers/assessors will be done in two stages; Stage One (from January 17 to 19), will focus on Safe, Economical and Environment-Friendly Driving; and Stage Two (from January 20 to 22), will be on the Assessment Moderation and Conduct of NC 3 Assessment.

Tesda said there would be two Training Regulations for Driving NC 3—Driving NC 3 (Bus Drivers and Straight Truck) and Driving NC 3 (Articulated Vehicles). A separate assessment instruments for the two qualifications will also be conducted.

The training duration for bus and truck drivers will also be shortened from 140 hours to 122 hours.

Bordado added that those who failed the training and assessment would be made to undergo the same procedure. Bus operators have pledged to shoulder the assessment priced at P500 a driver.

Director General Joel Villanueva have earlier pledged to provide free technical assistance for these drivers as requested by DOTC Secretary Jose de Jesus for Tesda to certify bus and truck drivers nationwide within the next two years. –MARIA NIKKA U. GARRIGA, Manila Times