By Warren Elijah Valdez DAVAO CITY - Around 2,000 public utility jeepney drivers have already availed of the financial aid provided by the city government, an official said.   Norman Baloro, Presidential Commission for the Urban Poor (PCUP) commissioner for Mindanao, and Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers (TUPAD) spokesperson, said that as of Monday, March 23, there were still slots from 54 routes that are still available. He said that these slots are still open for PUJ drivers who may want to avail of this service. The city government, through Department of Labor and Employment’s (DOLE) TUPAD program, has taken the initiative to help drivers who will be affected by the restrictions on the quarantine and social distancing amid the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) threat in the country. PUJ drivers will be given P11,880 per month to cushion their income loss due to the mandated social distancing. They will only be allowed to accommodate half their normal seating capacity. Baloro also said that, according to the City Transport and Traffic Management Office (CTTMO) data, the slots for drivers operating in the areas of Toril, Calinan, Mandug, Callawa, Catalunan Grande, and Jade Valley have been occupied already. He also said that PUJ drivers who already are in the program can start operating as a TUPAD-grantee driver. This program was also been set to shuttle passengers who are working and are out of their homes to buy necessities amid the community quarantine. He also reminded the drivers to disinfect and be responsible as they work. The city government has also assigned law enforcers to man the streets and monitor these jeepneys. If caught not following the social distancing protocol, they will be penalized and be possible disqualified for the program. Meanwhile, taxi and tricyle drivers have also appealed to be included in the program. However, Baloro said they will still discuss with the CTTMO if they will open the remaining slots to other PUV drivers. “As much as we want to accomodate all the transport sector, we still have to prioritize some,” he said. Meanwhile, CTTMO said that PUJ drivers should no longer submit their applications to the CTTMO office, instead, they can submit their application documents online. Baloro said that jeepney association heads will be given instructions on how to process the application online and be disseminated to their members. He said this is to ensure that no mass gathering will occur.