The past six months have been tough for the country’s jeepney drivers.
Almost 70-percent of the country’s public transport is still paralyzed due to the ongoing health crisis the country is in.
And our jeepney drivers have resulted in making huge sacrifices. But it’s not just them who have sacrificed as their respective families have suffered as well.
Take for example BK Jeepney Operators Drivers Association (Quezon City) President Ernesto Dela Paz, who shared his story to us.
“Mag-aanim na buwan na po kaming walang pasada at mahirap po talaga kasi dito kami umaasa sa pagmamaneho. Wala kaming ibang pagkukunan ng hanapbuhay kung hindi ito. Sobrang hirap po talaga yung pandemya po na ito para sa akin, para sa kasamahan ko, at pati sa pamilya namin. Masakit man po aminin pero wala kaming ibang magawa kung hindi manlimos para sa pang-araw-araw. Kung maghahanap naman po kami ng trabaho, wala namang kukuha sa amin dahil sa edad namin,” he shared as he tried to fight off tears.
“Sabi ko nga sa anak ko, pasensya na kasi wala tayong hanapbuhay ngayon. Naintindihan naman ako ng anak ko at sabi niya, kahit hindi siya makapag-aral ngayon, okay lang. Pero masakit para sa isang ama na hindi makapag-aral ang anak mo dahil wala kang pinagkakakitaan. Masakit yun para sa isang ama.”
Bounty Agro Ventures, Inc. (BAVI), which is celebrating its 23rd year in the industry and is under the leadership of President Ronald Mascariñas, has made sure to give back to the men and women who have been struggling in this time.
Saturday afternoon, Adobo Connection gave 100 assorted Party Packs frozen products to the jeepney drivers of BK Joda.
“Masaya kasi makakatulong po sa amin ang Adobo Connection sa pang-araw-araw. Sama-sama po kaming nagdadasal na matapos na ito at makabalik kami sa aming hanapbuhay,” expressed Dela Paz on behalf of the group.
“Lalaban lang po ako para sa pamilya ko at para sa mga kasamahan ko.”