Over 40K PUV, TNVS drivers get cash aid amid COVID-19 crisis

MANILA, Philippines — Over 40,000 public utility vehicle (PUV) and transport network vehicle service (TNVS) drivers affected by the Luzon-wide lockdown imposed to contain the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) have already been given emergency subsidies.

In President Rodrigo Duterte’s third weekly report to Congress on Monday, the government has so far given a total of more than P323.3 million to PUV and TNVS drivers.

The granting of the aid was provided under a tripartite memorandum of agreement executed by the Department of Social Welfare and Development, the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board and the Land Bank of the Philippines, the report noted.

Those who already received cash assistance included 4,175 TNVS drivers and 36,243 from the other PUV sectors.

The emergency subsidy is seen to benefit around 435,000 PUVs and TNVS drivers whose operations were suspended due to the enhanced security quarantine.

Of the number, the government target to give emergency subsidies to 65,661 in the National Capital Region.

“These include (drivers of) public utility jeepneys, UV express, public utility buses, point-to-point buses, taxis, transport network vehicle service (TNVS), school transport services, tourist transport services, and motorcycle taxis,” the report read.

As of Monday, Philippine health authorities have so far confirmed 4,932 COVID-19 cases in the country.

Of the number, 315 gave died while 242 have so far recovered.

The President earlier placed the entire Luzon under an enhanced community quarantine as the number of COVID-19 cases in the country continued to increase. The quarantine became effective on March 17 and was initially set to be lifted on April 13.

The quarantine period, however, has been extended until April 30.

Edited by JPV