THE MATINA Community Pantry and Konsensya Dabaw set up a relief initiative, “Kusina sa Katawhan Hinabang alang sa mga Drayber,” on Monday, April 6, to provide aid to the transport sector heavily hit by rising fuel prices.
The group, which also relies on donations, distributed rice packs (three kilos each) to a total of 251 jeepney, taxi, and tricycle drivers outside the CVA Building along J.P. Laurel Avenue.
Mags Maglana, Konsyensya Dabaw co-convenor, said the program follows a philosophy of mutual aid, encouraging participants to contribute what they can and take only what they require.
“Importante nga karong mga nanginahangaln karon mahatagan nato sila og hinabang, ang prinsipyo namo mao man sad ni prinsipyo sa ubang community pantries,” Maglana said in an interview.
Maglana acknowledged the program offers temporary relief and emphasized the need for a systematic solution to address the fuel crisis.
“Kasabot mi nga isa lang ni ka hinanaling solusyon sa problema nato karon kay naa man gyud krisis naninahangalan og mas sistematikong tubag gikan sa gobyerno para gyud kining presyo sa krudo,” Maglana said.
She challenged big corporations in the city to extend their corporate social responsibility to the transport sector, among the most vulnerable affected by the rising fuel prices.
Maria Loreto Lopez, Matina Community Pantry co-founder, said the initiative stemmed from the interview with drivers who expressed their immediate need for rice.
Lopez reported that drivers usually bring home P600-P1000 before the fuel price skyrockets, but now, it only leaves them P250-P300 for the whole 16-hour trip.
“Gusto kasi nila rice para may mauwi talaga sila sa kanilang bahay, kasi wala na silang mauwi,” Lopez said.
She emphasized that the initiative to provide boiled eggs and rice cakes is to temporarily alleviate the hunger of drivers who ply their routes early, as some reported having skipped meals to prioritize trips.
Lopez said another round of distribution is to be set, dependent on the donations they receive, but a community cookout through Art Relief Mobile Kitchen will provide cooked meals to drivers on Tuesday, April 7, for Quirino route drivers.
On April 1, Konsyensya Dabaw also provided 62 packs of rice for Youth Advocates for Pro-People Transportation (YAPPT) Network which launched the pantry on April 1.
