Non-medical frontliners detail difficulties amid COVID-19

Other than medical personnel, there are other workers who are also considered frontliners who provide basic services amid the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

In Dano Tingcungco's report on 24 Oras on Tuesday, GMA News interviewed a cashier, a grocery bagger, a gasoline girl, and a food delivery driver.

Jillian, a cashier, is eight-months pregnant and the breadwinner of her family.

She said there were moments when she felt discouraged but she tried to remain strong.

"Kapag yung customer masusungit ganon tapos akala nila parang ganoon lang kami. Nagagalit sila sa amin minsan, gusto nila mabilisan. Hindi naman nila alam kung anong hirap din namin dito," Jillian said.

MJ Domendel, a grocery bagger, is temporarily staying in a boarding house near his workplace instead of going home to Caloocan.

"Nag-text message sila na Deng, diyan ka muna, maghanap ka muna ng matutuluyan mo kasi may bata tayong kasama," Domendel said.

According to the report, Domendel had to walk three hours to his workplace while carrying his clothes.

"Masakit lang din po kasi, ano, habang nag lalakad ako, iniiisip ko kung saan ako matutulog saan ako pupunta," he added.

Meanwhile, Maricel Mejos was a one-woman team at the gasoline station where she gave vehicles their gas, acted as a cashier, and guarded the establishment.

The station also became her temporary home as she might not be able to return if she went home to San Jose Del Monte in Bulacan.

"Doon sa amin walang quarantine, wala kaming quarantine pass, hindi pa kami binibigyan. So hinatid lang po ako dito ng kamag-anak ko para makarating dito," Mejos said.

"Kasi walang trabaho, mahirap, tambay ka lang walang ano, walang pakain," she added.

This was what James Francisco, a GRAB driver, feared whenever he delivered food, especially to places that are far away.

"Pasalamat nga po pinayagan kaming bumiyahe sa kabila nu'ng delikado. Eh, ganon ho talaga buhay, pag di kami kumayod, wala kaming pambili ng pag-kain," he said. -- Joahna Lei Casilao/BAP, GMA News