JEEPNEY drivers in Bacolod City and Negros Occidental are hoping to receive subsidy from the government amid the adverse effect of the coronavirus disease (Covid-19) pandemic on their livelihood.
Elizabeth Katalbas, president of the Federation of Bacolod Drivers Association, said they heard about the announcement of Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque that the national government's economic team is currently studying a proposal to give subsidies to transport operators that are unable to operate at 100 percent capacity.
Katalbas said they have been waiting for government subsidies and they welcome such development.
But she said several drivers are frustrated especially since the start of the community quarantine because when the government released the first subsidy for drivers, very few of them here in Bacolod and Negros Occidental received it.
"It was only for the chosen few," she lamented.
She said that during the release of the first tranche of the Social Amelioration Program (SAP), only few drivers were included.
"That is the sad plight of the drivers," Katalbas said.
At present, under the modified general community quarantine, drivers can barely raise for the daily food consumption of their respective families as they could only accommodate fifty percent of the vehicle's total capacity, she added.
"Drivers are also exposed to the danger of Covid-19. In the afternoon, passengers are also meager even up to this time," Katalbas said.
Katalbas also revealed that drivers and operators of PUJs, as well as private car owners are complaining about the operation of smoke emission testing centers that has already resumed since June 1.
"We cannot easily have our vehicles tested because of the limited LTO forms from Metro Manila. Some centers, she said, have also been closed because of the lack of the LTO form, that's why long queue have been happening at the centers," Katalbas said.
She added that they are thankful of the assurance made by LTO Bacolod head Reuben Tampos that vehicle owners will not be charged of penalties of the delayed renewal because of the emission centers' present situation.