DOTr to hire displaced drivers, OFWs

MANILA, Philippines — Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade yesterday urged drivers and conductors of public utility vehicles as well as overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) displaced by the pandemic to work in various projects being undertaken by the government.

Tugade said he wants jobless OFWS and workers in the transport sector to be hired in Department of Transportation (DOTr) projects.

He has also given instructions to project contractors to prioritize the hiring of these individuals once they qualify.

The pandemic has affected the livelihood of workers in the transport sector as a result of travel restrictions and capacity limitations imposed by the government to control the spread of COVID-19.

A number of companies also reduced their workforce while some shut down operations completely.

“If you know jeepney drivers and bus conductors who want to make a living, if they are qualified we will give them jobs,” Tugade said.

A number of projects in the rail, airport, road and maritime sectors are under construction as part of the Duterte administration’s Build Build Build program.

One of these projects is the 148-kilometer North-South Commuter Railway (NSCR).

Tugade said around 200 former OFWs are working in the Philippine National Railways Clark Phase 1 project, which serves as the first segment of the NSCR.

Tugade is hoping that the number of workers would increase as the project’s construction gains steam.

The DOTr said motorcycle taxi service JoyRide earlier answered the call of Tugade to give jobless drivers and bus conductors livelihood.

Under the DOTr-JoyRide program, over 500 drivers will be employed as motorcycle taxi bikers and Happy Move delivery riders.