Jeepney drivers together with other drivers of public utility vehicles are most affected by the lockdown as their livelihood is dependent on their ability to ply their routes on a day-to-day basis. Hunger is a reality for most of them but despite their continuous call for assistance and understanding, repression by government agents continue with arrests of drivers asking for aid. In one instance two jeepney drivers even contracted the disease while being detained at the police station.
Vice President Leni Robredo, in her weekly program BISErbisyong Leni, expressed her concern over an alleged plan to phase out old jeepneys saying that jeepney drivers are already struggling from the effects of the lockdown and if they would push through with it, “parang lalong inaapakan iyong dati nang nakadapa (its like you are stepping hard on someone who has already fallen).”
In response, the Order of Carmelites through “The Carmelcare in Times of Covid-19 Pandemic Charity Drive” gave assistance to the distraught jeepney drivers through transport group PISTON with the assistance of alternative media, Bulatlat.
We are grateful to all our partners who helped us in helping those most affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. (Photos courtesy of Bulatlat and PISTON).