First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos led the distribution of rice and other assistance to 1,000 traditional jeepney and tricycle drivers on Tuesday, in line with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s directive to ease the burden of high oil prices on the most affected sectors.
The distribution was held at the Land Transportation Office (LTO) Central Office as part of the government’s Rice Distribution Program.
“Hindi biro ang trabaho ninyo. So itong ginagawa namin, konting bagay lang ito pero galing sa puso namin (Your work is no joke. What we are doing is just a small thing, but it comes from our hearts),” the First Lady said in a statement on Wednesday.
Acting Transportation Secretary Giovanni Lopez thanked President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. and the First Lady for their support to the transport sector.
“Ramdam ng Pangulo ang paghihirap ng mga tsuper kaya lahat ng pwedeng tulong ay pinabibigay niya. Nagpapasalamat din po tayo sa Unang Ginang dahil personal siyang namahagi ng bigas at iba pang tulong sa mga jeepney at tricycle driver (The President feels the hardship of drivers, which is why he orders all possible assistance to be given. We also thank the First Lady for personally distributing rice and other aid to jeepney and tricycle drivers),” Lopez said.
LTO Chief Assistant Secretary Markus Lacanilao said beneficiaries received rice, free medical check-ups and medicine, and free medical examinations for driver’s license renewal. Drivers may also renew their licenses through the agency’s e-Patrol system, he added.
Pasang Masda national president Roberto “Ka Obet” Martin praised the program, saying the 10 kilos of rice would go a long way for drivers’ families.
Driver Mary Ann, one of the beneficiaries, thanked the President and the First Lady.
“Nagpapasalamat po ako kay PBBM, kay President Marcos, Jr. at kay First Lady Liza Marcos. Maraming salamat po sa blessing na pinagkaloob nyo sa amin (I thank PBBM, President Marcos Jr., and First Lady Liza Marcos. Thank you very much for the blessing you have given us),” she said.
The initiative is part of the First Lady’s rice assistance program, “Mula sa Puso, para sa Pamilya at Bawat Bayan Makikinabang,” which the government aims to expand to millions of Filipinos nationwide. (PNA)
