City Government to Provide Financial Assistance for Jeepney Drivers

Drivers of the 357 jeepney units operating with Special Transport Permit during Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ) will receive Three Hundred Pesos (300.00 PHP) per scheduled trip or Six Hundred Pesos (600.00 PHP) per week. The implementation of this financial assistance will start on Monday, May 4, 2020 and will end on May 15, 2020.

How did the Local Government come up with the Program?

According to the PIO Baguio, the city government came up with this financial assistance program after the Land Transportation Office (LTO) apprehended drivers who were collecting Twenty Pesos (20.00 PHP) as a jeepney fare for the market-goers. 

This is since according to Regional Director of the Land Transportation Office – Cordillera Administrative Region (LTO-CAR), Francis Ray Almora, direct fare increase is illegal based on policies that are currently being implemented. 

Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong has stated that with the financial assistance, drivers will revert back to collecting the minimum fare rate of Nine Pesos (9.00 PHP) following Department of Transportation guidelines.

The Department of Transportation Guidelines

• Only Ten (10) passengers are allowed per travel. This is to maintain social distancing
• The driver and passengers should wear face masks outside of their residence

PUJ Will Need Barangay Certification

A Barangay Certification stating that the Public Utility Jeepney (PUJ) Association was utilized to transport market-goers will become the basis in the transfer of funds from the city to the association and to the jeepney driver.

What are your thoughts about this?

What do you think about this new financial assistance program? Share your thoughts with us in the comment section below. For more news and updates about the Baguio City and beyond, visit the official Baguio City Guide website. 

SOURCE PIO Baguio