In Solidarity with Jeepney Drivers

#governmentareincompetent #communitynotauthority #mutualaid

Members of KASAJDOI-ACTO Pasig/San Joaquin-Quiapo route stage a rally, appealing to the government to allow them to resume operations in order to survive the Covid-19 crisis.

According to Ding Bugas vice-president of KASAJDOI-ACTO, they are not given a chance to go back at work. Only 17-18 Public Utility Jeepney (PUJ) route allowed by Land Transportation Franchise and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) to resume operations and their route Pasig/San Joaquin- Quiapo are not included. They comply to suspend their operation because of the lockdown in relation to Covid-19 pandemic. At first, most of their member manage to acquire financial subsidy coming from the government but not all of them are lucky to be listed in Social Amelioration Program for drivers (SAP). They are already struggling for almost six months. Most of them are renting houses here and they cannot afford to pay their rent anymore. KASAJDOI-ACTO had approximately 300 members and the active members which are still living in Metro Manila are 105, the other 36 members of the association went back to their provinces as they cannot live in Metro Manila any longer.

They are now begging in streets, hoping someone might help and see their situation. All the collected money will be shared equally, so each of them can have at least 100 pesos to bring back to their families. This amount is not enough to support their family compare to the earnings that they can get if they resume operation. According to them, every day they can earn 700 – 1000 pesos daily excluding the boundary and fuels/diesel.  

In solidarity with them, we share 28 food packs as part of our mutual-aid action. We understand that they needed much support coming from private individuals like us.

 

August 16, 2020