24 Feb 2011
MANILA, Philippines - Thirty-one lady drivers will soon hit the roads after completing their training at the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA).
Cora Jimenez, general manager of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA), said the 31 women are expected to receive their TESDA accreditation by next week after completing the last leg of their training on Wednesday.
Jimenez said the lady drivers have an advantage over other drivers because they underwent formal training. She said most of the lady drivers are college graduates.
In fact, one was a registered nurse, 51-year-old Maria Luisa Antonio. However, Antonio said she is now unable to find employment due to her age, so she decided to try bus driving.
About 6 worked as drivers in Dubai, but they want to be closer to their families by finding employment in the country instead.
All of them vowed to be more disciplined drivers and will ensure the safety of all passengers.
The TESDA certification will also help them find more opportunities abroad because other countries require these certificates before hiring.
TESDA chief Joel Villanueva said the training does not end with the lady bus drivers; they intend to train all bus drivers by 2013 in order to minimize road accidents.
The MMDA believes that replacing female bus drivers would lessen road accidents in Metro Manila, particularly along Commonwealth Avenue, which has been tagged as a killer highway. – Report from Zen Hernandez, ABS-CBN News
Share this page
