It’s well known that jeepneys preserve one of the most fascinating things about Filipino culture— bayanihan. After all, it’s only in the Philippines that passengers so intimately assist each other in passing change around. However, as jeepney drivers continue to face the brutal consequences of the 6-month suspension of mass transportation, it’s clear that the communal unity embodied in jeepney rides should mean more than giving barya to your seatmate; it must now extend to compassion for the people behind the wheel.
As the government sluggishly attempts to find a solution to support the country’s transportation sector, some jeepney drivers have been living on piled-up debts, and have resorted to begging on the streets in order to survive. And unlike people with jobs, jeepney drivers don’t have resources to spare for healthcare measures. Drivers ultimately bear the brunt of quarantine restrictions.
Now, more than ever, our community is called to stand behind our jeepney drivers. ‘Nay ‘Tay Gusto Kong Tinapay answers this through their project called “Tulong Kay Manong.” It targets jeepney drivers whose livelihoods have been severely affected by quarantine restrictions. As of late, the project aims to provide food and health supplies to a total of 109 drivers through the transport groups Espanya Blumentritt Operations and Drivers Association (EBODA) and Samahan ng Nagkakaisang Tsuper ng Avenida at Baclaran (SANTABAK).
In an effort to help these individuals and their families, Nay ‘Tay Gusto Kong Tinapay: Tulong kay Manong is accepting donations of canned goods, rice, face masks, sanitary supplies, and cash. Relief You can contact them through their social media pages @naytaygustokongtinapay on Facebook and Instagram or through their email [email protected]. For monetary donations, it can be sent through the details below:
BDO – 012230001783 | John Lorenzo Tugade
GCASH – 0926 015 7081 | Jeanelle Rodriguez
UNIONBANK – 10965495 2700 | Maxine Silvino
Let’s make Bayanihan our new normal. The jeepney drivers are looking forward to your help!
ADVT
