ZAMBOANGA CITY, October 25, 2022 – About 593 public transport workers in Zamboanga City have already received kabuhayan starter kits worth P 30,000.00 each, as the Labor Department rolls out the EnTSUPERneur Program which aims to support PUV drivers and operators affected by the Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program (PUVMP).

The turnover ceremony was held at the Zamboanga Peninsula Polytechnic State University on October 21, 2022.

“The Labor Department realizes the plight of public transport workers especially during the time of the pandemic when most of them lost their income. While the economy is slowly reeling from the impacts of the pandemic, these workers have yet to face other challenges – the PUV modernization program and fuel price hikes,” said Atty. Roy L. Buenafe.

He said that the DOLE has been in close coordination with the Department of Transportation (DOTr) and the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) and Office of the Transportation Cooperatives (OTC) since January this year to implement the EnTSUPERnuer program.

“The project aims to provide a social safety net and employment opportunities to the affected transport stakeholders of the PUVMP through livelihood assistance packages that are aptly selected, enabling beneficiaries to have sustainable sources of income outside the public transportation industry,” he said.

Buenafe further said the program essentially provides beneficiaries with working capital in the form of tools, jigs, equipment, and raw materials as well as basic training in business planning, entrepreneurship development, bookkeeping, and values formation.

It also provided micro-insurance via the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS), as well as business advisory.

Transport stakeholder-beneficiaries that are affected by the implementation of PUVMP, which include driver-operators, driver, operators, allied workers (conductors, dispatchers, mechanics and/or management staff) from cooperatives, non-cooperatives or as individuals.

Livelihood starter kits given to beneficiaries included baking and pastries, carpentry, commercial cooking, dressmaking, encoding and printing services, masonry, negosyo kariton, refrigeration and airconditioning services, rice retailing, small engine repair, vulcanizing and vehicle painting, and welding.

LGU Zamboanga City Mayor John Dalipe, District 1 Congressman Khymer Adan Olaso, LTFRB regional Director PBGEn. Johnson C. Almazan (Ret.) graced the program and gave messages of support.

Alvin Cuartocruz, a jeepney driver, expressed his gratitude for the assistance received, “This rice retailing starter kit I received will help me and my family a lot. Thank you to DOLE and LRTFRB for spearheading this project.” END/kcqg