Victory Liner drivers get TESDA accreditation

MANILA, Philippines - As Victory Liner celebrates its 67th year of bringing travelers to various North Luzon routes, the country’s all-time bus companion continues to get better when its drivers received accreditation from the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA).

As of September this year, 825 bus drivers of Victory Liner had received their Driving NC (National Certificate) III accreditation from TESDA.

Under the directive of the Land Transportation and Franchising Regulatory Board (LTFRB), public utility bus drivers are required to pass an assessment program conducted by TESDA.  

The program is part of the commitment of the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) to professionalize the trade of public utility vehicles and safeguard the safety of commuters.

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The training evaluates drivers’ capabilities regarding their duties and responsibilities like understanding traffic rules, road health and safety practices, and coordination during accidents and emergencies.

The DOTC has required that all PUV drivers be NC III certified by January 2013. Buses whose drivers are not NC III certified will not be able to ply their routes.

“We are proud to say that 80 percent of our bus drivers have already received their Driving NC III accreditation from TESDA,” said Orlando Dahonog, training supervisor at Victory Liner. 

“The accreditation is a way of ensuring our riding public that Victory Liner drivers are competent to take the wheel,” he said.

Obtaining NC III accreditation requires a three-day training that tests the proficiencies of PUV drivers. Aside from the oral and written competency assessment, drivers are also required to undergo a hands-on exam given on the last day of the training.

Drivers of public utility buses and heavy trucks are certified by TESDA with Driving NC III, while drivers of other modes of public transportation are certified with Driving NC II.

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