Ayuda sa mga driver ng mga pampublikong sasakyan sa gitna ng pandemya

Wazzup Pilipinas!?

Imbes na direktang pagtataas ng pamasahe na makaka-apekto sa higit na nakararaming pasahero, isinusulong ng Department of Transportation (DOTr) at Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) ang pagbibigay ng ayuda sa mga driver ng mga pampublikong sasakyan sa gitna ng pandemya.
Ayon kay Transportation Secretary Art Tugade, itinutulak ng DOTr at LTFRB ang mga programa na magbibigay tulong, suporta, at ayuda sa mga driver at operator, na hindi nangangailangang magpatupad ng taas pamasahe.

“Kinakailangang balansehin natin ang pangangailangan ng mga drayber sa kakayanan ng mga pasahero ngayong pandemya. Kaya imbes na direktang pagtataas ng pamasahe, ayuda sa drayber at ayuda sa pasahero ang itinutulak natin,” pahayag ni Secretary Tugade.

“Naiintindihan namin ang sitwasyon ng ating mga drayber at tsuper, ngunit naiintindihan din namin ang hirap ng ating mga commuter. Alam naman natin na may ilan tayong kababayan na nawalan ng trabaho. Marami rin naman sa atin ang kababalik pa lamang sa trabaho. Ngayon pa lamang sila bumabawi, kaya sa aming pananaw ay hindi napapanahon na magpatupad ng fare increase,” dagdag ni Secretary Tugade.

Ayon naman kay DOTr Assistant Secretary Mark Steven Pastor, masusing pinag-aaralan ng LTFRB ang petition for fare hike na inihain ng mga transport group noong nakaraang linggo. Daraan aniya ang petisyon sa mga pagdinig bago ang pagtukoy kung kailangang magtaas ng pamasahe.

Inihayag din ni Pastor na patuloy ang pakikipag-ugnayan ng DOTr at LTFRB sa Department of Energy (DOE) upang magkaroon ng uniform discount ang mga pampublikong sasakyan, partikular na ang mga jeepneys, sa lahat ng mga gas stations sa buong bansa.

Sumulat na rin ang DOTr at LTFRB sa DOE upang magbigay ng suhestyon kung paano maiibsan ang epekto ng tuloy-tuloy na pagtaas ng presyo ng langis sa operasyon ng mga PUV, kasama na dito ang pagbibigay ng fuel subsidy.

“Sumulat po kami last week, ang DOTr at LTFRB sa Department of Energy upang magbigay ng suhestyon at upang humingi rin ng kanilang cooperation na magkaroon po sana ng mga programa ang DOE na maging mandatory po ‘yung mga discounts sa ating public utility vehicles sa mga gas stations nationwide,” dagdag ni Asec. Pastor.

“With the guidance nga ni Secretary Tugade, kailangan nating balansehin ang interes. Kinikilala natin at ramdam natin ang kailangan ng ating mga tsuper at operator, but at the same time, maghanap tayo ng solusyon na hindi rin matatamaan ‘yung mas nakararami pa na mga mananakay,” ani LTFRB Chairman Martin Delgra III sa kanyang panig.

Samantala, muling inaanyayahan ng DOTr at LTFRB ang mga drayber at operator na lumahok sa Service Contracting Program, kung saan babayaran sila ng gobyerno sa kada nakumpletong biyahe o trips, habang sinisiguro na mananatiling tuluy-tuloy ang kanilang pamamasada. Bilang konsiderasyon sa pagtaas ng presyo ng krudo, pinag-aaralan na rin na taasan ang insentibong ibinibigay sa ilalim ng programa.

Dagdag pa dito, hinihikayat din ang mga transport stakeholder na samantalahin ang libreng pagpapabakuna. Noong Hulyo, inilunsad ang vaccination drive para sa PUV drivers at ibang empleyado ng transport sector. Magagamit nila ang kanilang vaccination cards para makatanggap ng mga karagdagang diskuwento sa gas stations at mga kainan.

With Alert Level 3 for NCR, DOTr Pushes for Increase In PUV Passenger Capacity

Wazzup Pilipinas!?

With the downgrading of the quarantine status in the National Capital Region (NCR) from Alert Level 4 to the more relaxed Alert Level 3, the Department of Transportation (DOTr) is set to recommend to the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF) an increase in passenger capacity in public utility vehicles (PUVs).

“Irerekomenda po ng Kagawaran ng Transportasyon ang pagtaas ng passenger capacity sa ating mga PUVs to cope up with the increased number of individuals using public transport due to the imposition of a more relaxed quarantine status,” said DOTr Assistant Secretary for Road Transport and Infrastructure Steve Pastor in an online media briefing on Monday, 18 October 2021.

Asec. Pastor was joined in the media briefing by Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) Chairman Martin Delgra III and Land Transportation Office (LTO) Assistant Secretary Edgar Galvante.

Asec. Pastor said that increasing the number of PUV passenger capacity from the current maximum capacity of 50 percent as mandated by health protocols, to a significant increase, subject to the health and safety protocols to be set by the IATF, will not only help commuters but also PUV drivers and operators, as well.

“Tinitignan natin na magtaas ng seating capacity sa public transportation. Bilang tugon sa lumalaking gastusin sa day-to-day operations ng ating operators, and at the same time, this will also address yung matagal na hinihiling ng ating mga kasamahan sa business sector na dapat mas mapalago ang economic activities. We can contribute to that through an increase in public transportation, and their capacity,” Pastor said.

“Nais po naming bigyang diin yung guidance ni Secretary Art Tugade na dapat po balansehin natin ang pangangailangan ng ating mga drivers, ‘yung pangagailangan ng ating mga operators kumpara sa kakayanan ng ating mga pasahero ngayong pandemya. Maalala natin na karamihan sa ating mga kababayan ay nahinto sa trabaho, yung iba naman ay babalik pa lamang sa trabaho because of the Level 3 status dito sa NCR,” Pastor added.

Pastor said that while the increase in PUV vehicle passenger capacity amid the ongoing Alert Level 3 quarantine status in Metro Manila will be significant, he assures that the proposal to be submitted to the IATF will be based on both technical and medical studies.

“The increase will be significant. I cannot give the exact figure at this point in time, dahil ang gusto po ni Secretary Tugade, ang ating magiging proposal sa IATF ay ‘di lamang based on technical expertise but also backed-up by medical studies. Ang bilin po ni Sec. Tugade, kinakailangan po na safe ang pag-iincrease natin. Sa puntong ito ay inaaral po natin itong mabuti at kumukuha po kami ng relevant data from studies and journals to back-up this proposed increase para matulungan po natin ang mga operators and drivers,” he said.

In addition, following the directive of Transportation Secretary Tugade, the DOTr will also consider the safety protocols existing in the affected local government units in its proposal to be submitted to the IATF.

Pastor said that for the meantime, the DOTr will continue its monitoring of passenger capacity in PUVs amid the pandemic.

“Kasabay din ng pagdami ng ating pasahero ay ‘yung mga nag-violate ng ating existing health protocols. Kung kaya’t nag meet kami ng I-ACT to reiterate yung directive ni Secretary Tugade that health protocols should be enforced at all times. Kaya tuloy ang pagkakaron ng random inspections, random mystery passengers to ensure po na 50 percent maximum load po tayo at this point in time habang isinaayos pa nami ang ating magiging request sa IATF to increase the seating capacity,” he said.

Philippine Post Office unveils Jaworski Stamps, commemorates the 75th anniversary of the first stamp of the Republic

Wazzup Pilipinas?!


The Philippine Postal Corporation (Post Office) is set to launch the first-ever stamp featuring basketball great Robert Jaworski to kick off the celebration of the 75th anniversary of the first-ever stamp of the Republic of the Philippines.

Seventy-five years ago, in 1946, the Post Office issued the first stamp bearing the inauguration of the Philippine Republic. From this era, the Filipino people have risen up, setting the tide for world renowned talents and outstanding individuals who have made their mark in international stage.

On the occasion of the launching of Robert Jaworski Living Legend Stamps, the Post Office commemorates another remarkable milestone in the history of the country with the opening of “sALAMAT, Pagpupugay sa mga Alamat (ATribute to Filipino Legends) a three-part series of postage stamp issuances featuring 1.) Living Legends: World Renowned: 2.) Living Legends: Outstanding Filipinos; and 3.) Never Forgotten personalities that have made a mark and contributed greatly in their chosen fields here and abroad.

“This is our own llittle way of thanking and honoring these outstanding Filipinos in their chosen fields of endeavor in celebration of the 75 years of the first stamps issued in the Philippines as a Republic”. Postmaster General Norman Fulgencio said.

According to Postmaster General Norman Fulgencio, the Filipino people in this country are the most valuable asset and the real treasure a country could have.

“Naniniwala po kami na ang tunay na yaman ng Pilipinas ay tayong mga Pilipino (we believe that the real treasure of the Philippines are the Filipinos themselves) - their talents, characteristics, and the Filipino spirits”, Fulgencio said.

He added, “We are deeply honored to the family of Senator Robert Jaworski and his family for allowing us to feature his greatness in the Philippine Stamps. It is more fitting for his status as the sports “Living Legends” who personified the ‘never say die’ spirit to be the opening salvo for our upcoming stamps featuring outstanding Filipinos to give hope and strength for Filipinos in the midst of this pandemic.

“The stamp teaches us an important life lesson, that when it seems hopeless and you are about to give up, amazing things can still happen, if we keep the faith”, Fulgencio said.

The Post Office will feature new innovations in postage stamp designs to spark interest and excitement for people of all ages. The stamp shall be the medium to inspire and fully appreciate the achievements and pride of the country and people.

This forms part of the “Hatid Malasakit” campaign of the Post office to modernize the mail system in order to better serve the public. The Filipino people deserve no less than the best postal service by global standards.