LTFRB wants PhilHealth coverage for PUV drivers

The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board recently endorsed PhilHealth coverage of all public utility vehicle drivers.

Chairman Thompson Lantion, in a press release, said the LTFRB would soon enter a joint undertaking initially with the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office to help fund the PhilHealth coverage for PUV drivers.

The PhilHealth coverage would cost P50 for each driver ,with a counterpart of P50 from the PCSO, said Lantion.

Lantion said PUV drivers are partners of government in providing transportation service to the public so they deserve to have health coverage at an affordable cost.

LTRB regional director Rogelio Osmeña, for his part, said he is waiting for instructions yet from the central head office over the matter, adding that the PhilHealth program for drivers is a welcome development.

There are 47,348 registered PUVs in Region VII, or five percent of the close to 900,000 PUVs nationwide, according to the records shown in the Land Transportation Office website.

The National Capital Region has the highest number of registered PUVs with almost 200,000. -Ferliza C. Contratista/RAE