More tricycle drivers get financial aid from OVP’s Community Mart project

FILE PHOTO: Vice President Leni Robredo pays a visit to Kamuning Market on Sunday, May 17, 2020, to check on the implementation of the Community Mart program that the Office of the Vice President piloted there in partnership with the Quezon City Government. OVP Photo

MANILA, Philippines — Tricycle drivers of Kamuning, Quezon City, received financial support on Wednesday from the Office of the Vice President through its Community Mart project.

The OVP initiative aims to provide recipients alternative sources of livelihood to help them achieve “a better normal after the pandemic.”

These tricycle drivers belonging to the Kamuning Tricycle Operators and Drivers’ Association (TODA), OVP said, have completed a five-day motorcycle and repair training that was done in partnership with the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA). OVP added that this group is the second batch of tricycle drivers who finished training under the OVP’s Community Mart program.

“Tuloy-tuloy pa rin ito [livelihood programs], and we think na napakahalaga nito as we try to build a better normal after the pandemic,” said Robredo

(These livelihood programs are still ongoing, and we think these are important as we try to build a better normal after the pandemic.)

“Kahit nasa gitna pa tayo ng pandemic, sinisiguro na natin na … lahat ng naapektuhan ng pandemic ay magkaroon ng opportunity na makaahon ulit from the difficulties na pinagdaanan nila,” she added.

(Even though we are still in the middle of the pandemic, we are making sure that everyone affected by the pandemic has the opportunity to recover from the difficulties they went through.)

According to Robredo, the OVP received encouraging results from the first batch of tricycle drivers from Kamuning TODA, who completed the livelihood program.

“Nagrereport sila sa’tin na umiba na talaga ‘yung buhay. so ngayon about to start na kami ng second batch ng turnover of livelihood subsidies sa TODA,” she said.

(They reported to us that life has really changed. So now we are about to start the second batch of turnover of livelihood subsidies for the TODA.)

“Kasi ang tingin natin makakatulong para sa kanila para i-upgrade ang kanilang skills lalong-lalo na na napakahirap ng pinagdadaanan natin ngayon,” she also said.

(Because we think it will help them if they upgrade their skills especially since what we are going through now is very difficult.)

“‘Yung mga transport sector members talaga sila talaga ‘yung isa sa pinaka affected by the pandemic,” she added.

(Members of the transport sector are really some of the most affected people by the pandemic.)

Aside from those in the transport sector, Robredo said sustainable livelihood training programs are also available for other individuals affected by the COVID-19 crisis.

The OVP also provides assistance to civil society organizations involving women, farmers, and fisherfolk at this time, according to Robredo.

— Zacarian Sarao

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