TESDA starts training bus drivers

MANILA, Philippines - Thirty bus drivers are set to start training today in safe and friendly driving, the Technical Educations and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) said yesterday.

TESDA director general Joel Villanueva said the six-day free training program would be done in two stages: the first to focus on safe, economical and environment-friendly driving; the second stage will enable them to train other drivers.

“This is the initial batch of prospective trainers who will be trained and assessed by TESDA to become trainers and assessors of PUB drivers. They will be the ones who would train and assess the other drivers,” he said.

According to Villanueva, the first training participants are among the country’s most qualified drivers and nominated by the bus operators to assist TESDA in identifying bus drivers eligible for certification.

The bus drivers, who are from the National Capital Region and Southern Tagalog, are all holders of a professional driver’s license and have a minimum of one year’s experience in driving bus and straight trucks.

According to TESDA, the program is in preparation for the implementation of a new directive from the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) requiring all PUB drivers to be certified by 2013.