As the world slowly adjusts to the new normal, several sectors from our country’s labor force face the threat of losing their jobs. One of the thousands affected are our jeepney drivers. Recently, news about the General Community Quarantine (GCQ) guidelines and its failure to regard the welfare of jeepney drivers, lack of government-wide efforts to give aid to the ailing public transportation sector, and the looming jeepney phase out make the lives of our jeepney drivers more precarious than ever. In a span of 3 months, the manongs have not been allowed to operate, leaving them with no means of income to sustain their daily necessities.
PARA! Kay Manong (PKM) is an ongoing campaign founded last April 19, 2020 to help Jeepney and Tricycle drivers amidst the ongoing threat of the recent COVID-19 pandemic. This initiative is led by a group of college students from Ateneo de Manila University and De La Salle University who decided to give back and provide for these Jeepney drivers in their own little way. PKM envisions to help our manongs make both ends meet and instead, focus on the safety and good health of their families during this pandemic.Â
As of writing, PKM has collected 2,346 relief packs to different drivers in Mandaluyong City and Taguig City, targeting Quezon City as another beneficiary. The relief packs consist of rice, noodles, and canned goods worth Php 500.00 to help them get through their daily lives.Â
Together, join PKM on the journey of helping fellow manongs in need.Â
For more inquiries and further updates regarding donations, feel free to visit PKM’s Facebook Page at facebook.com/ParaKayManong and Instagram Account, @parakaymanong.
