“Y’ung panahon natin pabago-bago, kaya madalas ho, wala gaanong napapasada. Pagbiyahe namin, minsan may nadidisgrasya pa, hindi rin naman ganoon kalaki ang kinikita,” said Johnny Juico, who has been a tricycle driver for 20 years, about the struggles of his job.
“Isa pong paraan na ginagamit ng Diyos itong TUPAD [livelihood program] para makatulong sa mga taong kapos sa hanapbuhay. Kaya salamat po talaga sa magkapatid na Cayetano dahil malaking tulong talaga ito sa amin,” he added, expressing gratitude to Senators Alan Peter and Pia Cayetano for the assistance they received to help sustain his family’s daily needs.
Juico was one of the 75 members of the Centro de Bacolor Tricycle Operators and Drivers Association (CDBTODA) in Pampanga who received aid from the offices of the sibling senators on June 11, 2024.
The tricycle operators are also members of Presyo, Trabaho, Kita (PTK), a livelihood initiative launched by Senator Alan to offer Filipinos access to capital through low-interest loans.
A beneficiary of PTK since 2013, CDBTODA president Edgar Mallari explained how his group managed to grow the seed money.
“2013 pa lang po, natutulungan na ako ni Senator Alan sa pamamagitan nitong PTK. Napa-ikot po namin y’ung pera at lumaki naman po,” he said.
“Malaking bagay po ito sa amin, lalo na kaming nagta-tricycle, hindi na namin kailangan lumapit sa 5/6 [moneylending system],” he added.
Mallari is also the president of the TODA Federation of Bacolor, which consists of 15 different associations. With this, he understands how helpful and timely the assistance for the tricycle operators is.
The program in Bacolor, Pampanga, is a partnership between the Cayetano siblings and the Department of Labor and Employment through its Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers (TUPAD) program.
TUPAD aims to provide assistance to disadvantaged workers, including skills training, safety and health orientation, personal protective equipment, and other tools that assist them in their work.
Under the leadership of Mayor Eduardo Datu, Vice Mayor Ron Earvin Dungca, and Bacolor Municipal Administrator Nenita Gonzales, the transport sector of Bacolor, particularly the TODAs, continuously receives support.
Prioritizing the welfare of workers, the Cayetano siblings continuously provide livelihood initiatives across various cities in the country, ensuring Filipinos fulfill their basic necessities and have access to economic opportunities.
