Jeepney operators waiting for gov’t subsidy

By Dolly Yasa

 

BACOLOD City – Jeepney operators in this city and the province of Negros Occidental are still waiting for the subsidy from the government amid the adverse effect on their livelihood of the coronavirus disease (Covid-19).

Elizabeth Katalbas, president of the Federation of Bacolod Drivers Association, said they came to know about the announcement of Presidential spokesperson Atty. Harry Roque that the national government’s economic team is studying a proposal to extend subsidy to transport operators that are unable to operate at 100 percent capacity.

Katalbas said they have been waiting for the government subsidy as they welcome the said development.

However, several drivers are frustrated since the start of the community quarantine because when the government released the first subsidy for drivers, very few of them here in Bacolod and Negros Occidental received it.

“It was only for the chosen few,” she lamented.

Katalbas said only a handful of drivers also were included in the first tranche of the Social Amelioration Program.

“That is the sad plight of the drivers,” Katalbas said.

Under the Modified Community Quarantine, drivers can barely earn enough for the daily food consumption of their respective families as they can only accommodate 50 percent of the vehicle’s total capacity.

“Drivers are also exposed to danger of Covid-19 and in the afternoon passengers are also few even up to this time,” Katalbas further  said.