DOLE: 71 bus firms now giving drivers regular wages

At least 71 bus firms in seven regions are now giving their drivers and conductors regular wages and complying with other labor standards for the industry, the Department of Labor and Employment said late Friday.

The DOLE said these 71 firms have issued labor standards compliance certificates (LSCCs) as proof of compliance with Department Order No. 118-12, which govern working conditions of drivers and conductors.

In a news release, Baldoz said these 71 bus companies operate 3,818 bus units and employ 5,637 bus drivers and 5,633 bus conductors, or a total of 11,270 workers covered by D.O. 118-12.

She added the number does not include the bus companies’ office and garage operations.

“This only means one thing: that bus passengers are now better protected because bus drivers and bus conductors are already enjoying better pay and better working conditions,” she said.

An LSCC attests to a bus company’s compliance with the provisions of D.O.118-12, especially in the payment of the part-fixed and part-performance pay and social benefits.

The LSCC is also required by the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board for the renewal of franchise.

Baldoz said the LSSCs of the 71 bus companies means their 5,637 bus drivers and 5,633 bus conductors will now be receiving fixed salaries not lower than the minimum wage in the regions where they operate.

Also, they will get productivity or performance-based pay and other social protection benefits, including safety and health benefits.

Baldoz said that in Metro Manila, there are already 47 bus companies with 2,403 bus units issued with LSCCs. These bus companies are Safeway Bus Lines Inc.; Franvill Transit Inc.; Victory Liner; Armi Josh Transport; Astroliner Inc.; Newman Gold Liner Inc.; Paña Bus Liner; Luzon Bus, Inc.; Original Transport Service & Multi-Cooperative; Everlasting Transport Co.; Guardian Angels Bus Line Inc.; Santrans Inc.; Diamond Star Lines Corporation; Shem Transport; Kelly Transport; Princess Youhan & Chrisa Transport; Viofel Transport Inc.; Universal Guiding Star Bus Line Corporation; WLH Transit; Don Mariano Transit Corporation; Fermina Express Corporation; Admiral Transit Corporation; Nova Auto Transport, Inc.; Severino Santos Transit;

Alabang Transport Service Cooperative; Hi-Star Transport Inc.; VIL 5000 Inc.; City Link Coach Services Inc.; Pascual Liner Inc.; Bus Operator Transport Service Cooperative; Bensan Trans Corporation; San Agustin Transport Service Corp.; TAS Trans Corporation; St. Anthony of Padua Transport System Inc.; Bagong Silang Transport Service and Multi-purpose Cooperative; Nicholas Albert Transport; Pitbull Transport Corp.; Alro Transport Corporation; Nafti Multi-Purpose Cooperative; Reinalyn Bus Lines Corporation; N.S. Transport Services Inc.; Maluto Transportation & Travel Corporation; Philippians Bus Lines, Inc.; EMC NorthStar Transport; Renan Transit; Maggi Liner; and WLLH Liner.

In the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR), the DOLE-CAR office has issued LSCCs to 11 bus companies, seven of them members of the Baguio Bus Lines group, including: (1) RR Mckoy Express, based in Sablan, Benguet; (2) Mitchacoy Trans; (3) Red Scorpion Express; (4) Timichan Express; (5) Deos Da Do Arah Bus Line/Renia Alcantara; (6) GARJ BARJ; and (7) Dulcha Car Express.

The four other bus companies which had been issued LSCCs are: (1) AJJJPENNY Trans, based in La Trinidad, Benguet; (2) Terence and Tomas Express (ESO-Nice Transport); (3) Upnorth Transport; and (4) N-A Liner Transport. The 11 bus companies have a total of 42 bus drivers and 40 conductors.

In Central Luzon, the DOLE Regional Office No. 3 in San Fernando has issued LSCCs to four bus companies with 49 bus units: (1) JFT Liner and (2) Claro Transport, both based in Norzagaray, Bulacan; and (3) Del Monte City Transportation Corporation and (4) Ralfh Benz Express, both based in San Jose del Monte City. These bus companies have 91 bus drivers and 95 conductors.

In Southern Tagalog, the DOLE Regional Office No. 4-A has issued LSCCs to 12 bus companies with 140 bus units, 130 bus drivers, and 118 conductors. These bus companies are: (1) Greenstar Express, Inc.; (2) Dela Rosa Transit Corporation; (3) N. Dela Rosa Liner, Inc.; (4) Worthy Transport, Inc.; (5) Saint Rose Transit, Inc.; (6) JAM Liner; (7) JAM Transit; (8) ALPS the Bus, Inc.; (9) Silver Star Shuttle; (10) RRCG Transport System Co., Inc.; (11) Marikina Autoline Transport Corporation; (12) De Guia Enterprises, Inc. (G Liner).

The DOLE regional offices in Regions 6, 10, and 12 have issued an LSCC to Vallacar Transit (Western Visayas), which has 708 bus units; Rural Transit Mindanao, Inc.(Northern Mindanao), 190 bus units; and Yellow Bus Line, Inc. (SOCCSKSARGEN), with 142 bus units. — ELR, GMA News