Press Release - Jeepney drivers in Pampanga grateful for livelihood opportunity from Cayetanos

Hundreds of jeepney drivers in Pampanga will now be able to augment their daily income as they received sacks of rice this week from Senators Alan Peter and Pia Cayetano.

The Cayetanos' 'Bayanihan Caravan' revisited the Angeles-San Fernando Jeepney Operators Drivers Association, Inc. (ASFERJODA) in San Fernando City to deliver sacks of rice through the Integrated Livelihood Program of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) on July 16, 2024.

ASFERJODA President Manuel Liwanag expressed heartfelt gratitude on behalf of the association's over 600 members.

"Malaking bagay na naman ang dumating sa amin, y'ung pangkabuhayan na binigay sa amin. Paiikutin po namin at palalakihin ito," he said.

June Jimenez, the association's treasurer, said they will distribute the sacks of rice among the members so they can sell them and use for their families' consumption.

"Ibibigay namin ito sa kanila bilang pangkabuhayan sa maliit na interes lamang para makabawas sila sa kanilang gastusin," Jimenez said.

Story of hope and success

ASFERJODA is one of the beneficiaries of the Presyo Trabaho Kita/Kaayusan (PTK), a program led by the Cayetano siblings that provides seed capital to selected sectoral groups nationwide to help them establish their own internal low-interest loan programs for members interested in microenterprises.

In 2014, ASFERJODA purchased a jeepney using seed capital they received. It continues to function and generate income for the association.

Liwanag happily reported that the association has earned P220,000 so far, which is being used as rolling capital for their low-interest loan program.

"Ipinangpapa-loan namin sa aming mga miyembro sa maliit na interes lamang para makatulong," Jimenez said.

In addition to loans for microenterprises, the income generated from their PTK jeepney enables the group to assist their members during financial emergencies and distribute year-end bonuses.

"'Yung boundary po nito, kung halimbawang may nangangailangan sa aming mga miyembro, ito po y'ung binibigay naming tulong sa kanila. Halimbawa, may nagkasakit sa kanilang pamilya. Malaking bagay po ito," ASFERJODA secretary Jay Sibug said.

Fueled by the hope ignited by their PTK