By Marie Tonette Marticio
TACLOBAN City - The local government of the municipality of Naval, the capital of Biliran province, is providing free meals to tricycle and pedicab drivers whose jobs were affected by the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic.
(Mayor Espina / MANILA BULLETIN)
Mayor Gerard Espina said over 2,000 drivers are given free breakfast and lunch from Mondays to Fridays through the "Kusina Navaleño" program or drive-thru soup kitchen. They only need to bring their own utensils when claiming their food.
"Tulong po natin ito sa transport sector na nagsisilbing frontliners natin sa paghatid ng mga Biliranon lalo na at pinagbabawal ang angkas dahil sa COVID-19," he shared.
He added that they accept cash and in-kind donations such as meat and vegetables in order to sustain the feeding program.
"Kung gusto niyo po magpa-feeding program pero ayaw niyo magluto, nahahasslean sa pag-organize at pag-ipon ng mga tao, o kulang ang ipamimigay na gulay, karne, o kung ano man, wala pong problema. Magdala lang ng ingredients para kami na ang magluluto," he said.
He noted that their volunteers are the ones who plan the meals depending on the availability of ingredients.
"Kahit isang pirasong gulay o de lata na tulong niyo, malaking bagay na po para sa ating mga Sikad at Tricycle Drivers," he said.
Espina said that 1,755 tricycle drivers are also given P100 subsidy each for 15 days, and 80 tricycle drivers and 40 "habal-habal" driver each receive a P200 subsidy for "Mobile Palengke" per week. They have also allotted 160 sacks of rice to be distributed to them.