Makati govt on food packs, cash assistance for jeepney drivers, pedicabs

MANILA, Philippines —  Jeepney drivers and pedicab drivers in Makati City will be receiving P2,000 in cash assistance each while thousands of students and their families will get more than 81,000 food packs to help them weather the Luzon-wide enhanced community quarantine, the city government said on Thursday.

In a statement sent to reporters, Makati Mayor Abby Binay said 81,995 food packs will be delivered to 44,951 elementary students and 27,044 high school students. Special Education students will also receive the food packs, Binay added.

The city government said the P2,000 financial aid to jeepney and pedicab drivers in the city is intended to support them for the duration of the quarantine when public transportation is suspended.

“Good news #Makatizens! Para naman sa mga JEEPNEY at PEDICAB drivers, kayo na po ang aming susunod na bibigyan ng P2,000 na paunang financial assistance. Inaayos lamang ang listahan para tiyak na lahat ay mabigyan,” Binay said in a tweet.

Good news #Makatizens! Para naman sa mga JEEPNEY at PEDICAB drivers, kayo na po ang aming susunod na bibigyan ng P2,000 na paunang financial assistance.

Inaayos lamang ang listahan para tiyak na lahat ay mabigyan.#StaySafeStayHome

— Mayora Abby (@Mayora_Abby) March 19, 2020

(For our jeepney and pedicab drivers, we will give you P2,000 worth of initial cash assistance. We are just fixing the list so that everyone will receive the financial aid.)

Previously, the city government provided P2,000 financial aid to tricycle drivers who could not ply the streets of Makati due to the suspension of mass transport operations.

To date, the Philippine health department confirmed 202 cases of coronavirus disease. Of the number, 17 died while seven have recovered from the disease.

Edited by MUF