Manila, April 15 -- Some 55,000 public utility jeepney (PUJ) drivers are set to benefit from Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged Workers (TUPAD) Tuloy Pasada Program, an official of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) said Wednesday.

"There is an allocated PHP1.2 billion focused on the drivers. This is just initial. In the discussion, around 55,000. We are talking with our regional directors to see how it will be implemented in each region. Our intention for the other phase is different for each region," DOLE spokesperson Lennard Serrano said in a television interview.

"In our coordination with LTFRB [Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board], there are four phases," he said.

Asked on how they will monito...