DOLE speeds up release of Php10.4M assistance to transpo workers

Iloilo City- Some 437 workers from the transport sector in Western Visayas affected by the Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program (PUVMP) received a total of Php 10, 448, 872.00 livelihood assistance through DOLE EnTsuperneur Program for year 2023.

Funded by the Department of Transportation (DOTr), EnTsuperneur is DOLE livelihood program and part of the inter-agency approach to mitigate the impact of the phasing out of traditional jeepney to the livelihood of drivers, conductors, operators and workers on the implementation of the PUVMP. The beneficiaries of the program were identified and endorsed by the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) and the Office of the Transport Cooperatives (OTC).

Regional Director Atty. Sixto T. Rodriguez, Jr. supervised the proper implementation of the program and directed the field offices for the immediate release of the assistance to the respective cooperatives and individual beneficiaries.

For Iloilo beneficiaries, the Iloilo City Alliance of Operators and Drivers Transport Cooperative (ICAODTC) received Php5,700,000.00 for its various livelihood projects such as sari-sari store; rice, food and feeds retailing; car repair shop; fruit stand; massage and wellness center; water refilling; and native chicken growing.

The Santa Barbara-New Lucena Iloilo Transport Cooperative (SBNITC) and the United Negros Transport Cooperative (UNTC) each received Php1,000,000 for the Consumer Store and rice retailing project, respectively.

Two other cooperatives in Aklan, the Malinao–Lezo Transport Cooperative (MLTC) and the Tangalan Transport Cooperative (TTC) were provided with Php1,000,000 each. The MLTC is on the formation of public utility vehicle parts and accessories store while the TTC invested on tires and lubricants project.

Twenty-five (25) beneficiaries were also provided each with a Php30,000.00 worth of inputs for individually managed project. Nineteen (19) of the affected workers from Guimaras engaged into livestock and poultry raising project, hog raising, broiler and native chicken production, sari-sari store, rice retailing and cattle fattening projects. In Capiz, a piggery project and a Kabuhayan Starter Kit was provided to two (2) displaced workers. On the other hand, three (3) beneficiaries in Antique and one (1) in Aklan are now into cattle and hog fattening projects. //jpm