Jeepney drivers and operators camp at Liwasang Bonifacio in Manila on the first day of the three-day transport strike, April 29, 2024, against the deadline for consolidation of jeepney franchises under the PUV Modernization Program. The drivers plan to camp until Labor Day, May 1. Mark Demayo, ABS-CBN News/File

MANILA — The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) on Tuesday reminded jeepney drivers of the livelihood assistance that they could avail should they refuse to consolidate their units as part of the process of the government's PUV modernization program (PUVMP). 

DOLE Workers' Welfare and Protection Cluster Undersecretary Benjo Benavidez made the remarks as the government insisted that Tuesday, April 30, 2024 would be the consolidation deadline for those interested to join the PUVMP. 

"Ang direktang tulong na ibinibigay ng DOLE sa mga apektado po ng modernisasyon ay access doon po sa tinatawag natin na livelihood program. Nagbibigay po kami ng kapital sa mga apektadong drivers at konduktor. Hindi naman po ito kalakihan, hindi po lalagpas sa P30,000 per beneficiaries,"  Benavidez said in a televised briefing. 

The livelihood program started in 2018, a year after the PUVMP was launched. 

Since then, the assistance has benefitted thousands of drivers and conductors, Benavidez said. 

"Nakapagbigay na po kami ng more than 4,600 beneficiaries. At ngayon, Mayo uno mayroon po kaming 900 na individuals na bibigyan ng tulong pangkabuhayan," he added.     

Operators have until April 30 to join a cooperative and then gradually replace their fleet with modern vehicles that are safer, more comfortable and less polluting.

Cooperatives will be able to access bank financing and receive a government subsidy for each vehicle to ease the financial burden of the transition.

But drivers opposed to the plan argue that buying a new vehicle will bury them in debt and they will not be able to earn enough money to repay their loans and make a living.

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— With a report from Agence France-Presse