DoLE, bus operators, drivers vow to promote public transport safety

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Labor and Employment (DoLE) and its tripartite partners in the bus transport industry have pledged to implement measures in promoting public transport safety.

Labor and Employment Secreary Rosalinda Baldoz said the joint statement of workers, operators, and concerned agencies on the promotion of public transport safety is a manifestation of the commitment of the tripartite partners to improve the safety and health measures as well as the working conditions in the bus transport sector.

“Our tripartite partners in the bus transport sector and the concerned government agencies on road safety have recognized the need to improve the terms and conditions which will promote road transport safety,” said Baldoz.

The joint statement is a result of a series of consultation with bus operators, drivers, conductors, and concerned government agencies including the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA), Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB), and the Land Transportation Office (LTO).

An action plan would be drafted to implement the joint statement. The public utility bus (PUB) operators will also adopt a part-fixed and part performance-based compensation system where the fixed component will not be lower than the applicable minimum wage in the region while the performance based component will be based on safety, company revenues and other parameters of performance or productivity.

All PUB drivers and conductors will be also be entitled to the mandatory benefits which includes overtime, nightshift differential, rest day, holiday pay, and service incentive leave.

The DoLE’s Occupational Safety and Health Center (OSHC) will coordinate with the Bus (Transport) Industry Tripartite Council-National Capital Region (ITC-NCR) in the conduct of training on safety and health in the bus transport sector, in accordance with the Occupational Safety and Health Standards and other related OSH issuances.

The DoLE Regional Offices will strictly monitor compliance of bus companies to existing labor laws.

The Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), in coordination with OSHC, Land Transportation Office (LTO), Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB), and Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) will develop and administer competency-based driver training program including road safety, basic troubleshooting, and road traffic rules and regulations.

The joint statement said that the Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Boards (RTWPB) would conduct productivity training on service quality and perform work improvement measurement studies upon request by the bus companies.

The social partners in the bus transport industry have committed to adopt international standards on traffic signs, rules and regulations throughout the country to facilitate compliance and maintain a central or unified database system on traffic and traffic-related events. –Manila Bulletin