A transport group leader thanked TV host Willie Revillame for pledging P5 million for jeepney drivers who lost their livelihoods due to transport restrictions amid the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic. 

George San Mateo, president emeritus of Pinagkaisang Samahan ng mga Tsuper at Opereytor Nationwide (PISTON) said they recognized Revillame's efforts to help drivers who have been displaced by the health crisis and left begging on the streets. 

But San Mateo urged the TV host to donate the financial aid directly to the drivers to make sure that it will reach those who are really in need. 

"Pinupuri namin si Willie Revillame sa kanyang effort na magdonate, kaya lang ang panawagan sana namin ay i-diretso na sa mga drivers ang donasyon at huwag nang idaan sa pamahalaan (We recognize Willie Revillame's efforts to donate, however, he should give it directly to the drivers and not to the government),” Mateo said.

According to San Mateo, several transport groups across the country, including them, are very much willing to help Revillame to identify the drivers that were greatly affected by the lockdown. 

"Kami ay puwedeng tumulong doon sa makinarya kung ang problema ay paano madidistribute. Alam namin kung nasaan ang mga driver na hindi na talaga maganda ang sitwasyon (We can help as machinery if the problem is how to distribute the cash assistance. We know who and where are the drivers that are really in need of the aid),” he said.

In a Palace briefing on Friday, Revillame pledged P5 million for displaced jeepney drivers, saying that it broke his heart to see them begging for money on the streets. 

The transport sector has been among the hardest-hit by the enforcement of a hard lockdown which mandated a suspension on all forms of public transportation from mid-March, cutting the main source of income of thousands of PUV drivers and operators and left many of them begging in the streets for money and food.