By Arjay L. Balinbin, Reporter, Businessmirror, 22 Jun 2020
ABOUT 14,000 workers of provincial bus firms have lost their jobs due to operational restrictions, according to bus operators, warning that another 10,000 may be let go because of the implementation of cashless fare systems.
In a telephone interview, Alex R. Yague, executive director of Provincial Bus Operators Association of the Philippines, told BusinessWorld that about 14,000 workers lost their jobs due to the three-month coronavirus lockdown.
“For each bus, tatlong pamilya ang nakasalalay dyan. ‘Yung pamilya ng driver, pamilya ng kundoktor, at pamilya ng support staff — ito ‘yung mga mekaniko, dispatcher, inspektor, ticket seller sa terminals, at mga nagtatrabaho sa mga opisina (Each bus supports three families — that of the driver, conductor and a member of the support staff like mechanics, dispatchers, inspectors, ticket sellers and office personnel),” Mr. Yague said.
Provincial buses have not been allowed to enter or leave Metro Manila due to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, affecting at least 10,000 buses.
Mr. Yague said the government now wants to require an automatic fare collection system for all buses.
“So hindi na namin kakailanganin ng kundoktor kung sakaling they allow us to operate again. Ang second wave ng mga matatanggal will be all the conductors (We won’t need conductors if and when we are allowed to operate again. The second wave of job losses will be conductors),” he said.
He estimated that “10,000 conductors will be jobless due to the automatic fare collection system.”
Mr. Yague said the government should allow provincial buses to enter and leave Metro Manila “under the present system” with conductors, which are needed for their operations.
He also said there should be pre-testing for all conductors and drivers before each trip to ensure that they are COVID-19-free.
“Also, kung makakabyahe na kami, ang request namin ay dapat diretso na kami sa mga terminal namin sa loob ng Metro Manila, kasi kapag pinutol nila ‘yung linya namin up to Bocaue, Bulacan or Santa Rosa, Laguna, passengers will be forced to take up two three rides bago sya makapasok ng Metro Manila, so the risk of getting infected will be higher (When we are allowed to operate, our request is to be allowed to go straight to our terminals in Metro Manila, because if we are stopped in Bocaue, Bulacan or Santa Rosa, Laguna, passengers will need more rides just to reach Metro Manila, increasing the risk of infection,” he added.
March –
IT’S WOMEN’S MONTH!
“Respect and support women
every day of the year/s!”
Invoke Article 33 of the ILO Constitution
against the military junta in Myanmar
to carry out the recommendations of the 2021 ILO Commission of Inquiry
against serious violations of protocols of
Forced Labour and Freedom of Association.
Accept the National Unity Government (NUG)
of Myanmar. Reject Military!
#WearMask #WashHands
#Report Corruption #SearchPosts #TakePicturesVideos
Monthly Observances:
Women’s Role in History Month
Weekly Observances:
Week 1: Environmental Week;
Women’s Week
Week 3: Philippine Industry and “
Made-in-the-Philippines Products Week
Last Week: Protection and Gender-Fair Treatment
of the Girl Child Week
Daily Observances:
March 8: Women’s Rights and
International Peace Day;
National Women’s Day
March 4: Employee Appreciation Day
March 15: World Consumer Rights Day
March 18: Global Recycling Day
March 21: International Day for the Elimination
of Racial Discrimination
March 23: International Day for the Right to the Truth
Concerning Gross Human Rights Violations
and for the Dignity of Victims
March 25: International Day of Remembrance of the
Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade
March 27: Earth Hour
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