by Karl Anton J. Noob 

This article was submitted as an output for DEVCOM 22: Writing for Development course.

“Trisikad driver lang naman siya.” 

Francisco Gelanga Jr., 24, oftentimes heard this phrase from his surroundings in his almost 5 years of being a trisikad driver in Tigbauan, Iloilo. Because of poverty, he was out of school at the age of 12 and he is now a father of one child. 

“Ilabas ko nalang sa iyak. Kasi wala naman akong makukuha sa kanya kung papatulan ko man,” said Francisco, who felt belittled from a passenger in his past experience. He has no choice but to be a trisikad driver to feed his family. “Ano namang magagawa ko kasi driver sa sikad lang naman po ako.” 

Aside from discrimination, Francisco is one of the 384 trisikad drivers in Tigbauan that is greatly affected by the lockdown caused by the pandemic. Due to the halting of the public vehicle operations, he tried to look for a job replacement to meet his family’s daily needs. 

“Nung lockdown, nangisda ako. Kaso nung lumakas naman yung alon, walang-wala talaga. Kahit pambili ng bigas ang hirap.” Francisco can live with just eating bread as long as his family consumes a good amount of food. He was doing this for almost 2 months of the lockdown, until a hope had arrived. 

A group from Sangguniang Kabataan visited his home. He was asked to be part of a project that aims to address sikad drivers’ struggles. Francisco was then introduced to The EstrawngHeroes organization. “Binigyan po nila ako ng rason na lumabas at pumadyak ulit.” 

Together with other 10 young sikad drivers aging from 15 to 30, Francisco has been part of the project “Manong” initiated by The EstrawngHeroes since August. The EstrawngHeroes is a youth-led environmental organization founded in 2018. They train young people in engaging governance and leadership to environmental volunteerism. 

Adrian Camposagrado, the founder and Chief Executive Officer of the organization, feels the need to help these trisikad drivers. “Even if you have an environmental advocacy, you know that you could do something with regards to the concerns of your communities,” he said, wanting the organization to be out of its comfort zone. 

The stories they’ve heard from them have inspired The EstrawngHeroes to initiate the project. They partnered with the Sangguniang Kabataan officials of Barangay 1-9 Poblacion to determine these young trisikad drivers. The project “Manong”, and its identity component “Ipalihug kay Manong”, aims to give them a job on errand-service. 

Manongs’ Knowledge 

One of the three components of project “Manong” is the “Kaaram ni Manong” where young trisikad drivers undergo a series of educational discussions. They were taught about the pandemic, financial literacy, and personality development before the implementation of errand-service. 

The EstrawngHeroes made sure that the Manongs were equipped with credible and right information about COVID-19 before sending them out for operation. They were oriented with the ordinances and current pandemic situation in the Municipality. As part of the program’s preventive measure, they were also given personal protective equipment to ensure their health safety. 

The organization also seeks to help Manongs to uplift their moral and dignity through undergoing personality development. This workshop trained them on reaching out to their customers properly. They have also undergone a mental health seminar to help them identify the state they are in. 

Adrian sees this component very helpful to the Manongs because they have limited access to important information. They meet every Sunday to check on their status and provide assistance to their needs. 

Ipalihug kay Manong 

The errand-service started its operation in September. This serves as a platform where Manongs can earn extra income while helping families buy their essentials without going outside of their homes. Customers can contact the organization through Manong’s Facebook page or mobile number before sending out one Manong to do the errand.

“Natutulungan po namin sila at natutulungan din nila kami,” said Manong Francisco, who is now happy to experience this type of work. “Masarap po yung pakiramdam kapag nakikita mo yung customer mo na ngumingiti. Tumatawa din sila kasi parang pormal po ako magsalita.” 

In one day, Manong Francisco could get about 5-6 orders from the errand-service. One errand would cost around 30 pesos or more depending on the amount that the customers ordered. A suki customer who often requests Manong Francisco to do the errands can give him extra earnings for about 120-150 pesos. 

In the first month of operation, 54 families and 6 partner local establishments supported the program. Though the organization hasn’t yet combined the data, they’ve seen an increased number of orders from their database in October. 

Manongs’ Savings 

Another one of the components, “Pagbulig kay Manong”, seeks to initiate financial assistance to Manongs by encouraging them to save. Before the start of the operation, trisikad drivers were given bamboo coin banks. Its keys are all in the possession of the organization. 

“Since we have their keys, they ask permission to use their money from their savings to support their children in modules or to buy vitamins,” said Adrian, who allowed them to use their money. “At least, the consciousness of their savings and how they manage their money is already there.” 

Manong Francisco is also very thankful that the 200 pesos from his savings was put into good use. “Nung sumakit ang aking katawan, doon po ako kumuha ng pera pambili ng gamot. Kaya ayun, tuloy pa rin ang trabaho.” 

The Manong drivers put money into their coin banks whenever they have extra earnings for a day. Manong Francisco said that he continues to put 5 pesos in his savings for his future needs. 

Manongs’ Opportunity 

4 out of 11 Manongs halted their education in elementary school according to the EstrawngHeroes’ data. The rest of them are in high school. However, 4 of them are now back into studying through enrolling in the Department of Education’s Alternative Learning System. 

Francisco is also one of the Manong drivers who is enrolled in ALS. He is assisted by the organization to study on his modules every Sunday. “Sila po yung umudyok sa akin na mag-aral ako ulit kahit na meron akong anak.” 

On the other hand, The EstrawngHeroes noticed big changes not just for the Manongs, but also to their surroundings. When people are calling these young trisikad drivers “Manong”, it creates smiles knowing that there’s already a positive meaning behind it.

“We consider them as our unsung heroes. They are also our transportation frontliners on this pandemic,” Adrian said. Without trisikad drivers, the people in Tigbauan will also have a hard time traveling. “We have to appreciate and recognize their efforts that they are putting into our communities. There are also those who still feel that they are discriminated against. Their voices need to be heard as well.” 

The EstrawngHeroes plans to reach out to other barangays in Tigbauan to help more trisikad drivers in their struggles. Adrian said that as long as there are people who are willing to be trained, the program will continue. “We can make it as a part of their trisikad norms on which they can offer errand services in the rest of the poblacion area.” 

As for Manong Francisco, new opportunities would come his way after he finishes studying. “Babalikan ko din po yung padyak, pero hahanap din ako ng trabaho na pang regular. Kasi hindi naman pang habang-buhay yung pag padyak eh,” he said. 

Francisco is now more positive in reaching his goal. Rather than focusing on others who disrespect him, he is now happy in giving services to the people. “Simple lang. Kahit mahirap kami, malalampasan lang yung problema namin sa buhay ok na ako. Makakain lang ng tatlong beses sa isang araw, ok na po yun.”

###