MANILA, Philippines – The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) has opened its doors for female — single mothers or even widowers — interested to work as bus drivers. In his radio program, MMDA Chairman Francis Tolentino has invited jobless women who want to work as drivers to send their resumès to the main office.
“Not only single mothers but all qualified applicants will be referred to bus companies,” said Tolentino.
MMDA’s Yves Gonzales said that the hiring of drivers is open to females who are willing to work as bus drivers.
“If they pass the training, the applicants will be given work referrals to several bus companies that support the proposal of the MMDA chairman that more women be hired to drive public drivers,” said Gonzales.
Tolentino sent a memorandum to all Metro Manila bus operators as he encouraged them to employ female drivers.
In the memo, Tolentino expressed concern over the fatal road accidents involving buses, citing that in 2010, 137 male drivers were involved in fatal road accidents while only five female drivers were involved for the same period.
Statistics gathered by the agency showed that 5,779 male drivers figured in non-fatal road accidents, while 403 female drivers figured in mishaps during the same period.
Anna Liza Villas, Manila Bulletin
