‘Driver’s Academy’ draws mixed reviews

CEBU, Philippines - The mandatory but free training for drivers proposed by the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board is dividing Cebu’s transport groups.

Greg Perez, coordinator of the militant transport group the Pinagkaisang Samahan ng mga Tsuper at Operators Nationwide-Cebu, said they are against it because it is still part of the government’s modernization program for the public transport system, which plans to phase out jeepneys that are at least 15 years old.

"Bisa’g kapila pa na ma-seminar ang mga drivers kung disgrasya ang hisgotan di kana sulbad nga programa," Perez said.

The initiative, called “Driver’s Academy,” is a two-day session that aims to impart to or remind drivers lessons about values formation, customer courtesy, and traffic rules.

The program covers all drivers of public utility vehicles nationwide.

The “academy” is held twice a month and has been implemented in the region since March 2015, said LTFRB Central Visayas Director Ahmed Cuizon.

The program is beneficial to drivers, according to Armand de Gracia, president of the Alyansa sa Nagkahiusang Draybers Alang sa Reporma (ANDAR).

"Okay man na basta libre ug di daghan adlaw mawala sa mga driver pag-attend sa seminar," de Gracia said.

For his part, Ryan Benjamin Yu, general manager of the Cebu Integrated Transport Service Cooperative (Citrasco), said he supports the conduct of the seminar.

He said drivers must be required to undergo such seminar at least every two years.

Metudio Belarmino, consultant of ANDAR, said LTFRB and the Land Transportation Office should not issue a driver’s license to those applicants who are elementary graduates only.

Belarmino said seminars cannot help elementary graduates understand and follow traffic rules.

Romeo Armamento, vice president of the National Confederation of Transportworkers Union-Central Visayas, echoed Belarmino’s statement, saying driver’s license should be issued to at least high school graduates.

"Uyon ko anang seminar pero may sugyot ko personal lang ni nako. Istudyuhan unta kon ang professional driver's license kadto lang high school graduate ang hatagan. Bisan kapila pa i-seminar ug dili ka sabot sa gi-seminar, lisod gihapon," Armamento said.

LTFRB spokesperson and board member Aileen Lizada said drivers must have proper discipline while driving and should know the traffic rules and regulations. (FREEMAN)