Through the initiative of Gov. Matthew Marcos Manotoc, this program enlisted the driver beneficiaries to render five days of work and to receive Php 1,225 cash each.
Their job includes cleaning and unclogging of drainage canals in preparation for the rainy season.
“We proposed to the governor a cash-for-work program for the displaced jeepney and bus drivers in the province so we can assist them somehow, which was already implemented,” Perry Martinez, executive director of the provincial government’s Metro Ilocos Norte Council said.
Moreover, there are 15 public utility vehicle drivers, also assisted through the “Libre a Pagluganan” (LAP) program.
They are deployed at selected pick-up and drop-off points to meet the transportation needs of health care workers, non-medical frontliners, and medical patients.
Under the LAP program, the PUV drivers receive daily fuel subsidy and a Php 340 compensation each.
“Ang mga jeepney drivers na nabigyan ng trabaho sa ‘Libre a Pagluganan’ ay kakaunti lamang, that’s why we have to come up with the cash-for-work program,” Martinez added.
So far, there were 9,105 frontliners and 317 medical patients who were served by the Provincial Capitol’s free transportation program.
The provincial government vowed to support and aid all sectors who are adversely affected by the community quarantine. (Ma. Joreina Therese A. Blanco/PIA Ilocos Norte)
