Elderly jeepney barker sisters get health check-ups thanks to GMA Kapuso Foundation

Two sisters in their 70s who are still working as jeepney barkers have received health check-ups courtesy of the GMA Kapuso Foundation.

As seen on "24 Oras" on Wednesday, one of the sisters, Diega Tives, 77, has worked for more than 40 years as a jeepney barker in Makati. For every full jeepney, she earns P10-P15. She also has a sideline delivering bananas to the stores underneath the train rails.

Diega sister Helen Bermundo, 74, also earns a living as a jeepney barker. "Hanggang mamayang gabi po, nagtitiyaga ako para kahit papaano madagdagan ang kita ko," she said.

Their children have been urging both women to retire, but the sisters said that they get weaker just staying at home.

"Kasi kung sa bahay, antukin ka, matulog ka. Sa lansangan, kahit papaano, makatanggap ka ng kaunting pera. Ginagamit naming pambili bigas," said Diega.

The GMA Kapuso Foundation arranged for the hardworking duo to get medical check-ups.

According to Dr. Rainer Nery Mozo, medical director and internal medicine specialist at Clearbridge Medical Philippines, Diega has high blood pressure, and Helen has a concerning large thyroid gland, for which she has undergone an ultrasound.

In addition, they had their eyes checked. According to optometrist Dr. Cristy Querido, Diega has cataracts and Helen has astigmatism.

The foundation provided them with new eyeglasses, as well as grocery packs, maintenance medicines, and dentures.

If you're interested to help, the GMA Kapuso Foundation accepts donations through bank deposits, Cebuana Lhuillier, GCash, Shopee, PayMaya, Zalora, MegaMart, Globe Rewards, Metrobank credit card, and Lazada.

For more information, visit the GMA Kapuso Foundation website. — Kimberly Tsao/BM, GMA Integrated News