Members of the Alliance of United Transport Organization Provincewide (AUTOPRO-Pangasinan) are optimistic about the cash subsidy for jeepney drivers mentioned by Presidente Rodrigo Duterte in his latest State-of-the-Nation Address (SONA).

In an interview Wednesday, AUTOPRO-Pangasinan head Bernard Tuliao said jeepney drivers in Ilocos Region still have not received their financial assistance four months since the imposed quarantine due to the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic.

He said that based on the record, the latest beneficiaries were from Region VII (Central Visayas) who got aid some three weeks ago.

He added they have been constantly keeping in touch with the Land Transportation and Franchising Regulatory Board regional office (LTFRB-1) in San Fernando City, La Union for their supposed assistance.

“Although the President’s statement about the assistance to the jeepney drivers is not clearly explained, we are expectant,” Tuliao said.

Meanwhile, the LTFRB-1 is set to meet with transport groups on its plan to increase the number of available jeepneys to 50 percent of its total population per route.

As of posting, there are almost 500 public utility jeepneys in Pangasinan currently operating in various routes.

Citing LTFRB-1, Tullao said the additional jeepneys would begin to operate on August 1.

He reminded jeepney drivers and operators to strictly follow the 50-percent passenger capacity per unit based on the set guideline.

Tuliao asked fellow jeepney drivers and operators to hold the line as the promised date approaches. (PNA)