The QC RACSTAR | 7
HEALTH INSURANCE FOR JEEPNEY DRIVERS Health Insurance Written by: Rotaractor Marianick Villegas Club of San Francisco Del Monte Malaya Achievers forRotaract Jeepney Drivers
pon the implementation of strict quarantine guidelines, public transportation had to halt operations as people were required to stay at home. Jeepney drivers all over the country, most especially in Metro Manila, were heavily affected. Stopping their day-to-day operations meant cutting off their main source of income. While some may have successfully resorted to other jobs or forms of livelihood, many were left jobless, still clinging to the hope that they will be able to drive again. Many drivers were gradually seen going back to the streets not to drive but to ask for donations in despair to sustain the needs of their families. This increased their risk of contracting the virus that already ruined their livelihood. The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted their livelihood and made them vulnerable to a highly contagious disease that could also potentially impose a heavy financial burden for medical expenses. Most of them do not really have funds for emergency medication or hospitalization, not even for the necessary annual medical check-up. To spare displaced jeepney drivers from this agony, the Rotaract Club of San Francisco Del Monte Malaya Achievers thought of providing them security in the form of health insurance. This was accomplished through the project “Rotadyip: Proteksyong Pangkalusugan Sukli sa Muling Pag-arangkada.” Rotadyip was coined from the combination of terms “Rotaract” and “Dyip” or short for Jeepney.
Distribution of noche buena packages to Pasang Masda BK JODA drivers
