MANILA, Philippines — The spirit of bayanihan lives on as premier truck and parts distributor and service provider Autokid Trucks launches this September its own initiative to help thousands of displaced jeepney drivers. Known as the Mega Care Caravan, the project aims to give aid to those who have lost their livelihood due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
As the pandemic continues to take a toll on the public transport industry, Autokid Trucks spearheaded a charity drive together with leading canned food manufacturer and distributor Mega Global Corporation to set up a comprehensive donation program that could reach almost 7,000 jeepney drivers. Part of the donation packages that will be distributed are essential goods such as water, rice, and Mega Global products, as well as packed lunches and other freebies.
“We chose to team up with Mega Global because we have seen the initiatives they’ve done for the community since the pandemic began. Our goal is to help our jeepney drivers bounce back from their current situation. In order to do so, they need proper nutrition to perform at their best,” explains Autokid CEO Kevin McHale Yao.
Both companies have allocated P2.5 million each for this donation drive.
Aside from the donation caravan, Autokid is also working on other efforts to help PUV cooperatives navigate through the PUV modernization program being implemented by the national government. By way of educating PUV cooperatives and their members on different aspects of the modernization program, Autokid is allowing the use of their facilities to hold trainings and seminars to support them during this transition period.
Autokid is continuously coming up with ideas to help improve the transportation industry in the country. At the same time, the company is not one to back down from helping the community during these challenging times. “We wanted to use this time to give back to the community. It has been difficult, but we know that we can get through this obstacle if we all try our best to help one another,” concludes Yao.