Bus operators mixed on drivers’ assessment

BUS operators in Cebu voiced mixed reactions over an order requiring their drivers to secure a “driving national certificate” from the Technical Education Skills and Development (Tesda).

The order issued by the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) is a requirement for bus operators to secure their certificate of public convenience from the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board.

Richard Corominas, president of the Cebu Provincial Bus Operators Association (CPBOA), said while they will follow the order they don’t think that the burden requiring their drivers to undergo assessment should fall on them.

“We will follow the requirement but it should not be the responsibility of the operator. The assessment should be a requirement of the Land Transportation Office (LTO) before anyone can be issued professional drivers license,” he said.

Tesda being tasked to issue professional certification for technical training is in charge for the training and assessment. It regularly charges P200 per driver for the assessment.

Corominas said bus operators shouldn’t be made to pay for the assessment.

“It should not be the operators, the drivers should have that certification when they acquire their drivers’ license,” Corominas said.

Still, Corominas said they will still comply with the imposed requirement of LTFRB whose implementation will start by January 2013.

The number of nationally certified drivers will correspond to the number of certificate of public convenience (CPC) to be issued to the operators as read in DOTC department order 2011-25.

The order applies to new applications, extensions of validity, sale or any other mode of CPC transfers. It also stated that the order shall apply to all public utility buses.

But the LTFRB is directed by the DOTC to coordinate with Tesda to include other modes of public land transportation.

Julito Flores, president of the Cebu South Mini Bus Operators Association agreed with Corominas.

But Flores said an assessment of drivers is good to ensure the safety of the passengers.

The assessment of drivers came on the heels of the rampant incidence of bus accidents.

Last March 2012, at least 28 passengers were hurt when a bus overturned after it collided with a dump truck in barangay Mainit Naga City, southern Cebu.

Two years ago, a speeding bus bound for Toledo City lost control and rammed into a concrete fence and killed at least 15 and hurt 48 others.

In the same year, a tourist bus carrying Iranian medical students fell off the cliff in Balamban and killed 19 hurting more than 30 others.

Flores said allowing their drivers to undergo training and assessment will ensure the safety of passengers.

But Corominas said safety driving doesn’t need more trainings but discipline enforced on the drivers.

On July 19, Tesda is offering the training of bus drivers for free at the University of Cebu–Mambaling campus.

The whole day training will include seminar on values, good grooming, following traffic signs, trouble shooting and first aid.

The training is a Tesda requirement before the drivers undergo the assessment to be scheduled on a separate day.

Although it regularly costs P200 per assessment, Tesda is offering 400 slots prioritizing those who will attend the July 19 training.

Flores said six of his 16 mini bus units will ply the regular schedule route because he will require his drivers to attend the seminar.

Flores heads a total of 30 mini-bus operators while Corominas has 40 operators. /Marian Z. Codilla, Senior Reporter