By Raymond Carl Dela Cruz
MANILA – The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) on Wednesday announced that all public utility vehicle (PUV) drivers and conductors will be required to undergo comprehensive road safety training as one of the requirements for franchise renewal.
In a news release, LTFRB Chair Teofilo Guadiz III said the mandatory training aims to reduce the number of road accidents involving PUVs and ensure their awareness of traffic rules and regulations.
He said this was stipulated in Memorandum Circular No. 2024-040 that was approved on Nov. 8, 2024.
However, Guadiz said the pilot implementation of the mandatory training, set in May, will initially be limited to Metro Manila bus and truck drivers and conductors.
“From there, ilalabas namin after three months to other metropolitan areas in the Philippines. Then for its second year, isasama na namin ang UV and jeepneys and the last phase will be motorcycle taxis and TNVS (From there we’ll expand to other metropolitan areas in the Philippines. Then for its second year, we’ll include UV and jeepneys, and the last phase we’ll include motorcycle taxis and TNVS [transportation network vehicle services]),” he said.
According to the memorandum, the LTFRB shall develop and institutionalize the Driver’s and Conductor’s Academy Program (DCAP), which includes the accreditation of driving schools that will conduct the training and the mandatory road safety education of PUV drivers and conductors.
Those required to undergo training are drivers and conductors of existing franchise holders with valid and existing Certificate of Public Convenience (CPC) and/or Provisional Authority (PA) and Special Permits (SP).
The enrollment fee for the comprehensive road safety training is estimated at PHP2,000 and must be completed within a minimum of two days but not exceeding eight days.
Accredited driving schools will be provided by the LTFRB with learning modules for the road safety training program.
It will also establish a monitoring system to ensure the compliance of PUV operators to hire and register only PUV drivers who have passed the required road safety training.
“A certificate of course completion will be issued to the driver and conductor which shall be electronically transmitted by the accredited driving school to the LTFRB upon completion,” he said.
He assured commuters that drivers and conductors undergoing road safety training will improve the quality of service provided by PUVs. (PNA)
