Jeepney driver suffers seizure awaiting P5K Aid in Quezon City amid fuel price surge

A jeepney driver lost consciousness and suffered a seizure while waiting in line for his P5,000 cash aid in Quezon City amid the rising cost of fuel caused by the conflict in the Middle East.

According to Joseph Morong’s Wednesday report on “24 Oras,” fellow jeepney drivers helped him by fanning and splashing him with water.

A responder also conducted CPR before the sick jeepney driver was brought to the Quezon City General Hospital.

He suffered an electrolyte imbalance due to prolonged hunger.

Most of the jeepney drivers queuing for the cash aid in Quezon City are plying the Lagro-Cubao route.

They apologized to stranded commuters on Commonwealth Avenue and said they really needed the cash aid.

“Napakahalaga po nu'n dahil sa hirap ng biyahe. Wala kaming kinikita. Dalawang araw lang po na karga. [Pag naubos], 'yun ang problema. kung saan kami kukuha,” jeepney driver Remegion Quitay said.

(The cash aid is a big help to us since we do not earn anymore. This is equivalent to two days of fuel. The problem is we have to look for income to buy fuel once it runs out.)

Jeepney driver Juvy Bongolto went to get the cash aid right after being discharged from the hospital, where he was confined after suffering a second stroke.

Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Rex Gatchalian said the agency will visit the LTFRB office of each local government unit and coordinate with all jeepney operators and driver associations to verify the missing jeepney drivers on the list.

The DSWD is also preparing the second round of cash aid distribution should the Middle East conflict continue.

Gatchalian said DSWD would spend around P7 billion to provide the cash aid for at least one round across the country. —Mariel Celine Serquiña/NB, GMA Integrated News