Philippine jeepney drivers face poverty in strict lockdown
JEEPNEY buses, with their cheerfully gaudy exteriors and packed-in seats, are a national symbol of the Philippines, a form of public transport known affectionately as “kings of the road’’.
But almost all have been forced off the roads by possibly the world’s longest and strictest lockdown.
Many drivers are destitute and desperate, with fellow citizens stepping in to raise money for them via Facebook groups.
Jowel Palaña, 41, a jeepney driver in Manila, said: “Every day has been a struggle.” He has not worked as a driver since March 15, when the lockdown began. Instead, he swept the streets in exchange for food. He was unable to travel to see his wife, three children and extended family outside the city – or send them money to survive – for months.
Mr Palaña’s story is symbolic of the impact of the strict Covid-19 measures. There have been 54,000 cases in the Philippines and around 1,400 deaths, a relatively low number.
However, the shutdowns have left the economy on its knees and the poorest citizens jobless and hungry.
Dr Amado Parawan, from Save The Children in the Philippines, said the government’s financial aid programme has ended, leaving people struggling. “People are starting to complain due to the hardship,” he said. “We are expecting increasing cases of child under-nutrition and child abuse.”
Under the strictest lockdown, known as “enhanced community quarantine”, noone aged below 21 or over 60 years was allowed out, a 10pm-5am curfew was imposed, all offices, transport and schools were closed and only one family member was allowed out for essential food and medicine.
This lasted from March 15 to June 1, and has only been eased in some areas.
Reopening the Philippines while thousands of new cases are being recorded would put the country at risk of“pandemonium ,” President Rodrigo Duterte said, adding that he wanted to avoid the mistakes of US President Donald Trump and Brazil’s Jair Bolsonaro.
Nevertheless, last week some jeepneys were allowed back. Around 6,000 out of Manila’s fleet of around 55,000 are back with disinfectant, compulsory masks, 50 per cent capacity and barriers between passengers.
But even this could be shortlived as there has been a surge in infections in the Philippines. It is now the second-worst hit in southeast Asia, after Indonesia.
Mr Palaña is desperate to return. “I need to get back to work no matter what the dangers are ,” he said.