MANILA, Philippines — Pasig City has earmarked a total of P55.5 million to fund its financial assistance for the locality’s 18,500 public utility vehicle (PUV) drivers who are affected by the Luzon-wide enhanced community quarantine.
According to Pasig City Mayor Vico Sotto, 5,800 jeepney drivers, 12,000 tricycle drivers, and 700 UV Express drivers will receive P3,000-aid from the local government.
“Distribution is by schedule, starting Monday,” Sotto said.
FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE FOR OUR PUBLIC TRANSPORT DRIVERS AFFECTED BY THE COMMUNITY QUARANTINE.
P3,000 each
x
(5,800 jeepney drivers + 12,000 tricycle drivers + 700 UV drivers)
=
total of 55.5M.Distribution is by schedule, starting Monday.#StayHome #BeatCovidTogether pic.twitter.com/3uNkLVaQvA
— Vico Sotto (@VicoSotto) March 26, 2020
Luzon has been placed under enhanced community quarantine by President Rodrigo Duterte to contain the spread of the coronavirus disease 2019 or COVID-19. The enhanced community quarantine is in effect from midnight of March 17 until midnight of April 13.
As of Thursday, the total record of COVID-19 cases in the country reached 707.
COVID-19, which outbreak started in China’s city of Wuhan, Hubei, in late 2019, is a respiratory disease caused by the novel coronavirus or SARS-CoV-2.
The virus causes mild symptoms such as fever and cough for most people but can cause serious illness such as pneumonia for others, especially older adults and people with existing health problems.