President Rodrigo Duterte reported on Monday that he has ordered relevant government agencies to look into complaints of public transport drivers about not getting financial aid amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
During his fifth State of the Nation Address, the president mentioned the Pantawid Pasada Program that was supposedly to provide cash assistance to public utility vehicle drivers.
“There are complaints that some drivers did not receive any assistance at all. I have directed the DSWD and the DILG to look into this,” he said on Monday.
Public transportation, including jeepneys and buses, was suspended during the implementation of quarantine protocols from March to June to curb the spread of COVID-19.
Without their source of income, some drivers were forced to beg for money on the streets to fend for their family.
Jeepneys restarted operations only earlier this month.
