The numbers are scary.
“Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) Chairman Atty. Winston Ginez revealed that only 45 out of 135 bus companies in Metro Manila have been complying with the fixed compensation order for drivers and conductors,” reports Kris Bayos in Manila Bulletin.
According to the report, the violations have continued despite the July 30, 2012 deadline imposed on Metro Manila bus operators to comply with the LTFRB memorandum circular (MC) prescribing a part-fixed-part-performance-based salary and minimum to maximum working hours for all bus drivers and conductors.”
The report further explained: “The LTFRB’s move to shift from commission-based to fixed salary for bus drivers and conductors — in sync with Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Department Order 118-12 — was meant to discipline bus drivers and conductors who drive recklessly and hoard passengers to get as much commission as they can.”
You see, under the LTFRB MC, the working hours of bus drivers and conductors were “limited to a minimum of eight hours and a maximum of 12 hours per day.”
The DOLE is aware of the problem. The agency is expected to team up with the LTFRB in going after the bus firms in question.
Photo from the LTFRB website
