The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) said March 5 that all public utility vehicle (PUV) drivers and conductors will be required to undergo comprehensive training on road safety as a prerequisite for franchise renewal.
LTFRB chairperson, Atty. Teofilo Guadiz III, said the mandatory training aims to reduce the number of road accidents involving PUVs and ensures that drivers are aware of and comply with traffic rules and regulations.
“Road safety in public transport is one of the basic policies that governs rendition of public service to Filipino commuters,” Guadiz said in a statement. “However, recorded data showed significant statistics on road incidents resulting in injuries and deaths to road users, among others.”
The LTFRB said that under Memorandum Circular No. 2024-040, it 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 drivers and conductors of PUVs.
All PUV drivers and conductors of existing franchise holders, with valid and existing CPC and/or Provisional Authority and Special Permits, are required to complete the required course designed by the LTFRB.
The enrollment fee for participants in the program is pegged at P2,000 and must be completed within a minimum of two days but not to exceed eight days, the LTFRB said.
“The first 12 hours of the training will be composed of three components; first, lecture on road safety, then a psychological exam or if fit ka to drive or how the driver will react in situations while driving or if the driver has anger issues, and number three would be teaching them basic first aid and life support during accidents,” Guadiz explained.
Pilot implementation of the training program will be confined first in Metro Manila and will be limited only to 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. So hindi isang bagsakan ang training, gradual lahat yan.”
The LTFRB will establish monitoring systems that will ensure the compliance of all PUV operators to hire and register only PUV drivers, who passed the required continuing 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.
Learning modules shall be provided by the LTFRB to the driving school upon accreditation.
“By teaching drivers and conductors the importance of professionalism, courtesy, and effective communication, the Drivers Academy helps improve the quality of service provided by PUV drivers,” the LTFRB said in the memorandum. ||
