Gov urges Tesda to give training to women seeking driver jobs

KIDAPAWAN CITY, Philippines—North Cotabato Governor Emmylou Mendoza has urged the Technical Education Skills and Development Authority to provide free intensive training to women seeking employment as drivers.

Mendoza said there is an ample place for women in the labor market for drivers.

“Women deserve their fair share of the jobs,” she said.

Florante Herrera, Tesda provincial director, welcomed the governor’s plan.

Herrera said his office will be accommodating the women under the Training for Work Scholarship Program.

“Tesda-trained women, after getting their professional drivers’ licenses from the Land Transportation Office could then be initially placed as school bus or family drivers, and later as drivers of other vehicles,” the governor said.

Mendoza said that through this initiative, the looming condition of unemployed women in the province, and even in the country, will also be addressed.

The governor said some of the unemployed or underemployed women that are interested to learn how to drive, but are discouraged by the high cost of driving lessons.

Mendoza also asked thr Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) to require all operators of Public Utility Vehicles (PUVs), including school buses, to reserve at least 10 percent of their new posts for women drivers.

“Operating a PUV is a privilege granted by the government through the LTFRB, which can impose any condition to a franchise,” the governor explained.

The Metro Manila Development Authority is also pushing for women as passenger bus drivers to improve road safety.

The MMDA cited studies showing that women are highly defensive behind the wheel, inclined to comply rigorously with traffic and safety rules, and care more about the roadworthiness and overall condition of their vehicles. –Carlo Agamon, Inquirer Mindanao