Poe urges gov't to clarify aid plan for jeepney drivers

MANILA - Sen. Grace Poe on Wednesday called on the national government to clarify how they would help jeepney drivers during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) crisis, noting that drivers would lose income even if they resume operations during the global pandemic.

"Nais natin malaman paano matutugunan ng gobyerno 'yung kita ng mga drivers dahil 50 percent lang papayagan na makasakay so luging lugi sila doon," Poe told Teleradyo's Failon Ngayon.

Guidelines also have to be clarified as workers who have to physically report for duty continue to struggle, Poe said, noting that train lines in the capital region are also banned from operating in full capacity.

The government earlier banned jeepneys from resuming operations, saying the highly-contagious virus can easily spread in the usually crammed transport vehicle.

Last week, the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) allowed 6,000 traditional jeepneys to resume operations in 47 routes, but several transport groups claimed that the preparations made were not enough.

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