TUGUEGARAO CITY, Jan. 10 (PIA) — The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) has issued Labor Standards Compliance Certificates (LSCC) to 22 bus companies operating in the Cagayan Valley Region.

The certificates are given to bus companies that have complied with the department order No. 118-12, which sets rules and regulations governing the employment and working conditions of drivers and conductors in the public utility bus transport industry.

Reginald Estioco, public information officer, said the order mandates operators of bus companies to provide the benefits for the drivers and conductors of public utility vehicles to include the daily minimum wage, holiday pay, special day premium, rest day, overtime pay, night shift differential pay, service incentive leave, 13th month pay, maternity leave, paternity leave, solo parent leave and other applicable benefits.

“The department order further demands the bus companies for a mandatory enrollment of their employees to the Social Security System (SSS), PhilHealth and Pag-Ibig Fund,” Estioco said.

As of now, Estioco said the region recorded 376 bus drivers and 272 conductors of the 22 registered bus companies in the region, who are now enjoying the benefits of the said regulations.

He urges further the bus operators to always follow the said rules to be able to secure and renew the labor standard compliance certificate which is one of their passports to continue to operate in the region.