Some 500 jeepneys drivers allowed to ply the roads of Pampanga are assured of fuel subsidy from the “Tulong Pasada’’ project that the Capitol began to roll out yesterday to help drivers affected by the lockdown.
Jeepney drivers are among those impacted by the coronavirus disease pandemic since the start of the lockdown implemented in the country.
Pampanga Governor Dennis ‘Delta’ Pineda said: “Ang mga drivers po ay nawalan din ng kita simula mag-quarantine tayo laban sa Covid-19. Tinutulungan po natin sila na kumita ulit para sa kanilang mga pamilya.”
Pineda added that the ‘Tulong Pasada’ project is also in response to the request of the Pampanga Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PamCham) and other sectors to support workers who were permitted to return to their work.
The National Government had already allowed several businesses to resume operations under General Community Quarantine (GCQ).
Under the project, Capitol partly subsidizes the cost of fuel and the driver. Regular fare still remains.
Angie Blanco, executive officer of the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council said that the”Capitol made sure that all 19 towns and three cities in the province are served by the participating PUJs,”
Police personnel will also be assigned in terminals as dispatchers and to make sure that drivers and passengers observe the physical distancing protocol and wear face masks, said Provincial Police Director Colonel Jean Fajardo.
“Tulong Pasada” folowed the implementation of “Libreng Sakay 1” wherein Capitol mobilized service vehicles from 505 barangays to ferry workers. In “Libreng Sakay 2,” Capitol dispatched 549 PUJs and 20 large buses to bring passengers to their workplace.