SOME public utility jeepney (PUJ) drivers are disappointed with the limited slots for financial aid from the City Government of Davao.
Presidential Commission for the Urban Poor (PCUP) supervising commissioner for Mindanao and Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers (Tupad) program in-charge Norman Baloro recently announced that only 3,000 out of the 12,264 licensed PUJ drivers will be able to receive the P11,880 financial aid due to the mandated practice of social distancing issued by the Department of Transportation (DOTr) to prevent the spread of the coronavirus disease (Covid-19).
Roly Robles, 45, said since the city imposed the social distancing, he lost a huge income since PUJs are only allowed to cater half of the vehicles’ sitting capacity.
From the previous P500 to P800 bring-home income, Robles said that he is currently receiving an estimated income of P200 to P300 from a whole day trip.
“Astang dakua sa lugi. Nihit pa gyud pasahero. Makaluya mamasada ani kanihit ang mga gagawas (We suffer huge income loss. The number of passengers also declined as social distancing is strictly enforced. It is frustrating to drive with this kind of situation),” he said.
He added his fare income has reduced as oil price remains expensive and his vehicle rental fee is P600 a day.
Upon hearing the news that the City Government will be giving them financial assistance, he said at first, it would be helpful. But upon computing it, he said the P396 per day financial subsidy is still not enough.
“Unless mahangyo ni Mayor (Sara Duterte-Carpio) ang mga operator nga paubsan or i-lift sa ang pagbayad sa mga operators, kana kulangan gihapon na (Unless the Mayor will convince the operators to lessen or better yet, waive the rental payment operators, the subsidy will not be enough),” Robles said.
In a previous interview, Baloro said he understood the sentiment of the drivers.
However, he said the City Government only limited it to 3,000 due to budget constraints.
Baloro also urged operators to consider the plight of their drivers.
Duterte-Carpio recently said the reason why the city decided to enroll the drivers in the Tupad program is to encourage them to operate for the sake of the workers who are still working despite the imposed community quarantine.
“Ato lang sila gimanduan nga magpadayon lang sila sa pagpasada (We only encouraged them to continue driving) because public utility vehicles are of public service,” Duterte-Carpio said.
Transmission-Piston (Piston) secretary general Larry Arguelles, in a text message, said while they are supporting the move of the government to impose social distancing. He said the city could have made all registered PUJs qualified with the compensation.
Arguelles also said the local government should also include other mass transportation in the financial subsidy, such as taxi drivers and tricycle drivers.
“Una tubagon sa gobyerno kining ang pagkaon sa mga apektado aning pag-istrikto nila sa home quarantine. Dili lang PUJ driver ang ayudahan kon dili ang tanan na wala’y ikapalit kay wala nama’y trabaho (The government should prepare measures that would address those would be affected with the strict home quarantine. Not only the PUJ drivers be given financial aid, but also everyone who lost their jobs and means of livelihood because of the strict quarantine),” he said.
Duterte-Carpio bared on Friday, March 20, that the city is now working on distributing the ration cards starting next week to 10,000 qualified family beneficiaries, including indigents, out-of-work (contractuals, and “no work, no pay” employees) and self-employed workers.
The mayor underscored that the “no work, no pay” employees who are included are those who are either mandated to undergo self-quarantine for 14 days or their establishments were closed.
But on Saturday, March 21, Duterte-Carpio announced that affected tricycle drivers and taxi drivers will also be covered in the ration cards.
City Transport and Traffic Management Office head Dionisio Abude, meanwhile, said they are preparing on the possibility of the extension of the financial aid in case the state of public health emergency will not yet be lifted after 30 days.