How are jeepney drivers surviving without income during the pandemic?

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Jeepney Drivers Facing Extreme Hardship Amidst Pandemic Lockdowns

Philippine jeepney drivers are struggling to survive without income during the pandemic, resorting to begging, odd jobs, and even facing homelessness due to prolonged lockdowns and insufficient government aid. Many drivers, like Daniel Flores, have been forced off the road since March when public transport was halted, leading to a complete loss of earnings. Even when restrictions were eased, only a fraction of jeepneys were permitted to operate under costly regulations, significantly reducing daily takings and making it difficult to cover basic needs.
Drivers Resorting to Begging and Living in Vehicles

With no income and mounting debts, drivers like Daniel Flores have been evicted from their homes and are now living in their jeepneys with their families. These vehicles have become makeshift homes, crammed with personal belongings, and modified with cardboard for privacy. To obtain food, some drivers are begging for alms on the streets, carrying signs and plastic containers to solicit donations from passing motorists. This precarious situation is compounded by the constant risk of accidents while begging in busy traffic.
Insufficient Aid and Dire Living Conditions

Government aid and food handouts have proven inadequate to compensate for the lost income of these drivers. Many families are experiencing severe food insecurity, with some reporting eating only once a day or not at all. The desperation has led some drivers to send their young children to live with relatives to ensure they receive adequate food, highlighting the extreme poverty they are enduring.
Limited Operations and Future Uncertainty

Even when some public transport was allowed to resume, jeepneys faced strict and expensive regulations, such as installing plastic seat dividers and reducing passenger capacity to comply with social distancing. These measures meant drivers earned significantly less than before. The imposition of new lockdowns has further halted the operations of these few active jeepneys. Furthermore, there is growing concern among drivers about the government's program to phase out older jeepneys, which could permanently end their livelihoods.

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How are jeepney drivers surviving without income during the pandemic?

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