Joyce Ching, Kevin Alimon give back to jeepney drivers by giving them merienda
Joyce Ching and her husband Kevin Alimon have been providing jeepney drivers with food as a small way of thanking them for their hard work during the pandemic.
In a vlog posted last Tuesday, the couple could be seen going around the streets to personally deliver a simple merienda to several jeepney drivers in their area.
In the beginning of the video, Joyce and Kevin explained that the past few months have helped them realize the pandemic’s devastating effect on public transportation.
"Na-realize namin na ngayong pandemic, nahirapan din talaga silang bumalik. Because of social distancing, nahirapan din sila mag-adjust, isipin mo aayusin nila 'yung jeep nila na lalagyan nila ng mga plastic and all," Kevin said.
"Tapos 'yung pasahero nila, hindi nila mapupuno 'yon. Same amount ng gas pero 'yung amount ng pasahero na nagbabayad, bawas," he added.
As jeepney drivers continue to provide service to commuters despite the health risks amid the pandemic, Joyce and Kevin urged friends and viewers to do what they can to "give back," especially during the Christmas season.
"Before, kung makikita n'yo, 'pag lumabas kayo sa daan, bawat sulok may tumitigil na jeep diyan. Ngayon, wala talaga at all. Kailangan naming tawagan 'yung mga kaibigan namin [kung] saan may mga jeepney drivers, mga paradahan ngayon, saan sila naka-estasyon ngayon," Kevin added.
Joyce and Kevin are part of an initiative started by online shop Jeepney Stop which aims to raise funds for noche buena packages for jeepney drivers and their families this Christmas. —Margaret Claire Layug/JCB, GMA News