13 more join women bus drivers plying Metro
MAKE way for Metro Manila’s new women bus drivers.
Thirteen of them are ready to hit the road after graduating from the special accreditation course designed by the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) and Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (Tesda).
The training included bus driving skills, basic troubleshooting and knowledge of road laws, said Edward Gonzales, head of the Road Emergency Group.
One of the new drivers is Alma Arcega, 38, a former starlet.
“This is a new beginning for me,” she said. “The training was hard, but after it was over, we now know how to be responsible professional bus drivers.
Arcega says it was time people discard stereotypes they have of lady drivers.
“Women drivers are defensive drivers,” said the new bus driver, who led the batch during graduation rites at the MMDA compound in Makati City.
For Ellen Requiz, 32, it was a matter of being upgraded from driving a passenger jeepney to a bus.
“It’s nothing new to me,” said Requiz, who had been plying the Pasay City-Quiapo (Manila) route since 2004. “It was easier for me to adjust, compared to the other applicants.”
While a few had also been used to driving delivery trucks, some said they just answered a newspaper ad looking for women bus drivers. The training program cost P5,000 for each applicant.
The other drivers are Leonora Lugatina, Lizbeth Sande, Marianne Alfonso, Carolina Magdula, Teresita Sanchez, Josephine Guevarra, Vernalie Duran, Kathryn Nañoz, Amalia Cruz, Gina Santos and Perla Guanzon.
They will join 10 other women drivers belonging to the first batch already plying the streets of Manila and hired by HM Transport Bus Co., Philtranco and RRCG Transport Systems Group.
The new drivers will be assigned to other bus lines this week.
