A jeepney art fund drive is assisting displaced jeepney drivers who ply the routes of the University of the Philippines Diliman (UP Diliman) amid the modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ) that has again halted the operation of public transportation.
The “Para-Paraan Paabot Naman” art drive, spearheaded by artists Lena Cobangbang and MM Yu, raised funds from June to August 9, 2020, to provide the jeepney drivers and their families with sacks of rice, vegetable packs, and financial aid coursed through UP Covid19 Response Volunteers for distribution.
The fund drive also raised awareness for the increasing uncertainties and hardships faced by jeepney drivers amid the COVID-19 pandemic and the impending phase-out of their units brought on by the government program to modernize jeepneys.
The beneficiary jeepney drivers ply the 6 routes in and out of UP Diliman – UP Ikot-Toki, Katipunan, Philcoa, Pantranco, SM North – and include 350 drivers or families that used to serve the UP community plying these routes.
The artworks feature the Philippines’ iconic jeepneys, with some also offering deeper insights into socially relevant issues happening in the country.
The fundraiser marked its first wave of donations on August 7, where they were able to donate 800 sacks of rice to jeepney drivers and communities in UP Diliman and CP Garcia, Quezon City.
Their partner fund drive, #EatMatters by Chili Asylum and Igorot Fresh Produce, were able to reach their goal of raising 80,000 pesos for 400 veggie packs to be distributed to the families of UP jeepney drivers. The group still accepts donations with the fund drive also benefitting jeepney drivers from different parts of Manila.
You can still reach out and donate to causes pioneered by individuals and companies helping out amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
Each purchase of a Rural Rising PH’s Crate Hope full of fresh vegetables harvested by local farmers is matched by a donation to a needy jeepney driver’s family.
UP alumni artists also held an online exhibit fundraiser to provide for frontliners.
OPM icon Kuh Ledesma is also auctioning her art to benefit families affected by COVID-19.
The Philippine jeepney has also managed to stay on the road after reinventing itself as the LalaJeep of the Lalamove delivery business.
SEND CHEERS in the comments below to the Jeepney Art fund drive for assisting displaced UP jeepney drivers and their families.
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