After announcing the temporary suspension of their passenger services in Metro Manila beginning Mar. 15 in observance of the COVID-19 enhanced community quarantine measures, many Angkas bikers who relied on their motorcycle-taxi driving jobs to sustain their families had to sacrifice their livelihood.
Although the Angkas Padala roadside delivery is still in operation as of this writing, the effect of halting the motorcycle ride-hailing platform’s main operations remains to be heavily felt by bikers.
“As we are already doing our best to take care of our bikers, we currently lack the resources to provide for all 23,000 families who are affected,” Angkas shared as they reached out to the public for help.
Urging the public to take part in their cause, Angkas announced that they are collecting cash donations, which can be done via DBDOYC, INC.’s BDO account number 000380256339 or UnionBank account number 001550001088.
The platform also instructed donors to send proof of their donation to [email protected] for verification purposes.
Alam ko palagi na lang ako nakikiusap sa inyo, but it’s for a good cause naman.
Please help us help your Kuya/Ate Angkas biker. Kami na bahala magdistribute! pic.twitter.com/gplHS5IWWi
— Angkas (@angkas) March 20, 2020
All cash proceeds will go to buying Angkas bikers and their families rice and groceries or medicine. Those who want to help may also donate canned goods, rice, medicine, water, alcohol, soap, face masks and hand sanitizers in-kind directly via Angkas Padala.
“We encourage you to book through the app so the bikers can earn a little extra during this trying time. If you can’t book a biker, we will arrange for pick-up,” they added, sharing the online form which donors can fill up to coordinate a pick-up schedule.
All donations will be consolidated and distributed by Angkas themselves.
ONGOING: Rice distribution for Angkas bikers (hindi kasi sila makakabiyahe at walang pagkakakitaan for now)
We’re doing the best we can, pero alam namin this won’t be enough. 23,000 families sila. We hope you can help, mga panget! pic.twitter.com/9kIOlLAYjY
— Angkas (@angkas) March 19, 2020
Earlier on Mar. 19, Angkas distributed rice to bikers in an effort to help out during this challenging period as well as further repay them for their hard work and dedicated service.
Header photo courtesy of Inquirer.net
Get more stories like this by subscribing to our weekly newsletter here.
Read more:
Here are the organizations you can donate to as we battle the COVID-19 pandemic
Your perseverance as hope: A thank you to the frontliners in the fight against COVID-19
Donation drives you can pitch in to help underserved communities right now
Writer: YANN MAGCAMIT
