PUV drivers seek gov't aid as lockdown remains

Drivers of public utility vehicles (PUVs) are now seeking financial assistance from government and the public as they remain without source of income amid the lockdown.

Under the enhanced community quarantine, mass transportation has been temporarily suspended.

In a report on GMA's "24 Oras" by Ivan Mayrina on Monday, the drivers said they were forced to solicit help even from passersby for their daily needs.

"Nakakahiya pero sir, mas nakakahiya siguro kung nagnanakaw kami diba," said "Paking," a jeepney driver plying Tandang Sora who is part of a jeepney association.

Out of the group's 200 members, only 136 have been listed as beneficiairies of govenrment aid.  Those who receive the relief assistance pool their funds to support all members of the association.

"Lahat ng nakukuha namin, niluluto namin lahat. Itetext namin sila -- 'Pumunta kayo rito, may ulam dito, dalhin niyo sa bahay niyo'," said Paking.

The same was said by Edward Lambu, a tricycle driver who is part of a 2,500-member Batasan Tricycle Operators and Drivers Association (TODA), the biggest in Quezon City.

"Okay sana kung tuloy-tuloy 'yung extension, tuloy-tuloy 'yung ayuda," he said in the report.

Other tricycle drivers in the area like "Juin," a 71-year-old driver who has cancer and hypertension, has resorted to ferrying passengers to select locations for cash. 

"Mga kapatid, mga kamag-anak, walang magbibigay. Sariling sikap lang ito, na kahit bawal biyahe pa rin po, kasi wala pa rin tayong mapagkukunan ng pagkain," he said.

For its part, the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) said it has already submitted a list to the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) to countercheck some 200,000 drivers who could avail of the social amelioration program amounting to P2,000.

The Department of Transportation (DOTr) earlier said that should public transport resume once the ECQ is lifted, they will only be allowed at a reduced capacity of 30%.

Guidelines have yet to be released, which are now being awaited by drivers such as Eddi Bagasina, who makes a living working for a transport network vehicle service (TNVS).

"Bawat buwan, bukod sa monthly meron pang interest 'pagka na-delay ka, 'yun ang inaalala din namin kasi unang-una wala ring hanapbuhay," he said.

"Hindi rin kikita 'yung driver. Hindi kami kikita. Hindi rin papayag 'yung operator na walang boundary 'yung jeep niya," added Antonio Pia, a  jeepney driver. —Jon Viktor Cabuenas/LDF, GMA News