How to help jeepney drivers affected by the coronavirus lockdown

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How to help jeepney drivers affected by the coronavirus lockdown
It's still unsure when most jeepney drivers can go back on the road. Here are ways you can help them and the 6 drivers who were arrested while holding a protest calling for the resumption of their operations.

MANILA, Philippines – Jeepney drivers have not earned anything since coronavirus lockdowns were imposed on most of the country. 

Mass transportation was suspended in areas under lockdown to curb the spread of the coronavirus disease beginning mid-March. Although the country has eased quarantine measures starting June 1, jeepney drivers have not been allowed to return to the roads just yet.

In order to continue operations, jeepney drivers will have to apply for a special permit from the Land Transportation Franchising Board (LTFRB). The process involves getting clearances from each town or city covered by their route and being part of a cooperative or corporation, among others.

Aside from the complicated process, traditional jeepneys also fall in the lower tier of LTFRB’s priorities in granting special permits, while buses and modern jeepneys rank higher.

To help jeepney drivers who have had no income for almost 3 months now, transport group Piston is accepting donations of the following items:

  • Surgical masks
  • Hand soap
  • Medicine
  • Baby diapers
  • Rubbing alcohol
  • Canned goods
  • Rice
  • Instant noodles
  • Baby families

These may be dropped off at Balai Obrero Foundation, 63 Narra Street, Barangay Claro, Project 3, Quezon City. Donors may coordinate with Nedy Gonzaga through 09208580754.

Piston is also accepting cash donations to help the affected families of jeepney drivers. Interested donors may deposit to the following account:

BPI
Piston Land Transport Coalition
003323-2909-53

For more details, people may contact Cely Floranda at 0929 296 6099.

Help Piston 6

Piston is also calling for support to help free 6 jeepney drivers who were arrested in Caloocan City on Tuesday, June 2, while holding a protest calling for the resumption of their operations during the general community quarantine.

Among the drivers who were arrested are Piston deputy secretary general Ruben Balyon and 72-year-old Elmer Cordero.

According to Piston, the 6 drivers were brought to the precinct and then to the Caloocan City Hall, where they learned that they were charged with “disobedience to social distancing” and fined P3,000 each.

Piston refuted the claim, saying the drivers observed physical distancing and wore face masks. The group said it was “unjust” to punish them on top of the hunger they already experienced due to the halt in their operations.

As of Wednesday night, June 3, the drivers were still detained in a holding area at the Caloocan City Hall. Piston said it was still unclear what charges would be filed against the jeepney drivers, as they awaited the prosecutor’s resolution.

Piston is accepting cash donations to be used to help free Piston 6. To donate, deposit to any of the accounts below:

GCash
Anje Marquez
09176742345

BPI Bank Account
Piston Land Transport Coalition
3323-2909-53

Bank transfers should include a note saying #FreePiston6.

Aside from donating, people may also help affected jeepney drivers by signing this petition that seeks to allow jeepneys and other public utility vehicles to operate.

Kappa Chi Omega Sorority and Tulong Kabataan Network

The Kappa Chi Omega Sorority, a sisterhood of medical students and physicians, partnered up with Tulong Kabataan Network for their “Walang Ayuda, Walang Pasada: A Call for Donations for our Jeepney Drivers” project.

The project aims to raise funds for jeepney drivers in Barangay Central, Quezon City, University of the Philippines – Diliman, EBODA (Espanya Blumentritt Operator and Drivers Association), and SANTABAK (Samahan ng Nagkakaisang Tsuper ng Avenida at Baclaran) whose jobs have been heavily affected by the lockdown. The funds will be used for relief operations and the construction of community kitchens in these areas.

Kappa Chi Omega and Tulong Kabataan Network accept monetary donations and donations in the form of surgical masks and alcohol. You may course your monetary donations through:

BPI Savings Account
Account number: 1799 0859 64
Account name: Lou Marion Solomon

BDO
Account number: 002500593742
Account name: Dianne C. Quevedo

Paymaya
0917 707 9215

GCash
0935 205 5122

For other concerns, you may contact (0917) 828 2881.

Para Kay Kuya

Para Kay Kuya is an initiative launched by St. Scholastica’s College Manila alumni, which aims to help public transportation workers whose jobs were greatly affected by the pandemic.

For the first batch of their outreach, they were able to distribute relief goods to 181 families of tricycle drivers in Sta. Cruz, Manila. 

They aim to provide relief bags worth P500 that contain a week’s worth of goods to the families of jeepney drivers who belong to the following associations: Ibabaw Delpan, Ibabaw Ayala, and Samahan ng Tepvjodai.

They also hope to help jeepney drivers who rallied along C.P Garcia, Quezon City for the second batch of their outreach.

Para Kay Kuya accepts monetary donations and in-kind donations, such as rice, canned goods, instant noodles, masks, and soap bars. For monetary donations, you may send to any of the following accounts:

BDO
Account Name: Anastasia Siapuatco
Account Number: 007420035080

Paymaya and GCash
Account Name: Stephanie Infante
Account Number: 09163396361

UnionBank of the Philippines
Account Name: Jaira Atilano David
Account Number: 109657207433

BPI
Account Name: Anastasia Siapuatco
Account Number: 2779 1112 21

PNB
Account Nama: Issa Ebron
Account Number: 150310098612

Paypal
tsiapuatco@gmail.com

Send a screenshot of the donation receipt to sscmanila2012@gmail.com. A confirmation message will be sent to you afterwards.

The King’s Voice 

The King’s Voice is a personal initiative that aims to help jeepney drivers in Taguig City. The main beneficiaries of the initiative are the members of the Taguig Transport Cooperative, which has 178 jeepney drivers. 

The King’s Voice also hopes to help other jeepney drivers who have resorted to begging on the streets for money.

While the initiative has raised P21,000 so far, the King’s Voice hopes to achieve its target of P31,000 to help the jeepney drivers. The funds raised will be used to provide relief packs that include necessities for the drivers.

The King’s Voice accepts monetary and in-kind donations. For monetary donations, you may send them through:

GCash
09171080838

BPI Peso
Account Number: 8439386089 
Account Name: Jienell Lovely Coloma

BPI Dollar 
Account Number: 8434041601 
Account Name: Jienell Lovely Coloma

BDO Peso 
Account Number: 7410069055 
Account Name: Rizza Maureen T Oracion

Send a screenshot of the donation receipt to elle.gtan@gmail.com or mau.oracion@gmail.com. You may also arrange donations for pick-up by contacting the email address or visiting the initiative’s page at https://gogetfunding.com/TheKingsVoice/.

University of Rizal System–DOST Scholars’ Society

The DOST scholars of the University of Rizal System organized a relief activity on June 27 for 70 jeepney drivers from Luzon Eco Transport Services and Multi-Purpose Cooperative (LETSMPC) who are operating in the province of Rizal.

Necessities such as rice, canned goods, coffee, noodles, and biscuits were included in the relief packs the scholars distributed. The DOST scholars assured that the relief activity will not be the last time that their organization will extend their help to these drivers.

If you’re interested in contributing to DOST scholars’ initiative to help jeepney drivers, you may reach them at ursdostscholars@gmail.com– Rappler.com

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