Taguig distributes P4,000 financial aid to trike, jeep, pedicab drivers

TRICYCLE, jeepney, and pedicab drivers started receiving P4,000 on Thursday, April 2, from the Taguig City Government as cash assistance to one of the sectors most affected by the enhanced community quarantine.

During the initial distribution at the Taguig City University, almost 700 members of SUBTODAI, UBTODAI, BCBTTODA, UBTSA and MPC, and CBDCUBTODA received the P4,000 assistance.

The distribution was done in batches with strict observance of proper social distancing to ensure the safety of the drivers. The rest of the beneficiaries should receive their cash assistance during distributions scheduled for the coming days.

More than 15,000 members of the city’s tricycle operators and drivers association (Toda), jeepney operators and drivers association (Joda) and pedicab operators and drivers association (Poda) will receive the financial aid from the local government.

Another P4,000 will be given to them next month.

The financial assistance is expected to cover each family's additional necessities amid the Covid-19 pandemic, and is apart from the food packs distributed by the local government to Taguig families.

"Laking pasalamat namin tulong na ito mula sa Taguig City Government. Malaking bagay dahil hindi lang isang buwan kundi dalawang buwan matutulungan kami at an gaming mga pamilya," said Arvin Penolio, president of UBTODAI.

According to Penolio, he understands why they were not being allowed to ply the streets at the moment, noting the dangers amid the Covid-19 pandemic.

"Ito ay para maging ligtas kami at ang pamilya namin sa sakit," he said.

Aside from the financial assistance, the city's transport also helped the city in disinfecting the communities covered by their associations using sprayers provided by the local government.

"Isang pamilya tayo dito sa Taguig. Kaya naman tulong-tulong lahat upang malagpasan ang ganitong pagsubok," Penolio added.

The aid to the transport sector is just one of the initiatives of the Taguig City Government to help its residents during the implementation of the enhanced community quarantine. It has also distributed stay-at-home family food packs and anti-Covid-19 kits to the community.

As of April 1, 2020, the local government has distributed stay-at-home family food packs to 104,612 families in Taguig. These food packs contain rice, canned goods, noodles, coffee, cereal drink and bottled water. A food pack is good for three to four days for a family of five.

Taguig City has also distributed 54,904 anti-Covid-19 kits to senior citizens, PWDs and other vulnerable sectors in the city. A kit comes with vitamins good for 30 days, masks, antibacterial soap and instructional materials on proper handwashing, how to disinfect their homes and all they need to know about Covid-19.