A total of 92 porters at the Davao International Airport (DIA) received rice and cash assistance from presidential son and Davao City 1st District Rep. Paolo “Pulong” Duterte’s office on Wednesday morning.

In a statement, the lawmaker’s office said the food and cash assistance will help the porters who are also affected by the crisis brought about by the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic.

“The airport porters are responsible for the general task, including assisting travelers,” it said.
Victor Daplen, 56, one of the porters, expressed his gratitude to Rep. Duterte for the assistance.

He said the food and cash would be able to support his family’s current basic needs.

“It is really hard because we rely on a rotational schedule of our work. We only report twice a week. This [aid] is a big help to all of us,” Daplen added.

Meanwhile. Oscar Gabriel, 47, a High Airlifter Service Corporation supervisor, said the pandemic has ultimately affected their schedule as well as their work.

“We really strategize on how we can all work. For now, 32 porters are working on shifts and we only rely on the PHP10 tip per baggage,” he added.

With such challenges, Gabriel has sought assistance from Rep. Duterte as he recalled how the porters used to have enough income before the pandemic following the estimated four international and 32 local flights per day.

“The First Congressional District Office has been giving both cash and in-kind assistance to its constituents and people who need immediate support in these trying times,” Duterte said. (PNA)