DAVAO CITY - The office of first district Representative Paolo “Pulong” Duterte distributed on June 17, Wednesday morning, food packs to 137 public utility jeepney (PUJ) drivers in Barangay Catalunan Grande and to 32 persons with disabilities (PWD) in Barangay 28A of this city.

The public utility jeepney (PUJ) drivers, persons with disability, single mothers, and indigents are among the priority of the congressman, as they were the most affected by the situation since the lockdown period to community quarantine.

First District Office representative James Vergara earlier said that the distribution of food packs focused on the “poorest of the poor” from all 54 barangays of the first district. The office also echoed Duterte’s call for the public to observe anti-COVID-19 measures.

Wilfred Añoza, a PUJ driver and chairman of the board for Catagrande Transport Service Cooperative (Catransco) said that most of the jeepney drivers, not only in Catalunan Grande, have been greatly affected due to the coronavirus.

Añoza said that he is grateful for all the help given by Congressman Duterte to the drivers and to those who are in need of assistance as of the moment. He added that the food packs given to drivers help sustain the basic need of their family.

Catransco manager Nestor Navasca, who is a PUJ driver, also expressed his gratitude to Duterte. He said that the congressman has been distributing food packs to PUJ drivers and tricycle drivers, as well, since the lockdown.

Navasca said the Catransco has around 60 units, 30-40 operators, and 137 drivers including those PUJ renters. He added that rent cost before at P700 per day, but due to the crisis the rent has been down to P300 per day.

The 137 drivers in Catalunan Grande, meanwhile, also availed an “Accident Death and Disablement Benefit” courtesy by the Coco Life Insurance through Dumper Partylist Representative Claudine Diana “Dendee” Bautista.

Bautista’s executive assistant John Philipp Garabato, in a separate interview, said that they will be giving P10,000 worth of insurance to 5,000 drivers in the first district; 2,000 drivers in the second district; and 2,000 drivers in the third district.