Images: Facebook/Gretchen Ho
Gretchen Ho gave away bikes to two “no work, no pay” employees on World Bike Day yesterday, June 3, to help them get to work amid the general community quarantine (GCQ).
Employees who depend on public transportation to reach their workplaces have faced struggles since the start of the GCQ on Monday, June 1.
Under GCQ, public transportation services are only allowed to operate with reduced capacities to observe social distancing amid the pandemic. This has forced some commuters to walk several kilometers to report to work.
Acknowledging the issues surrounding transportation, Ho decided to give bikes to two workers to help them get to their workplaces. She spoke about her gesture on her Facebook page yesterday in hopes of spreading good news amid the stress brought about by the limited public transportation.
She gave one bike to a certain Nanay Claire, a lady guard who stopped working since she could not handle the four-hour walk to reach her workplace in Novaliches, Quezon City, from her home in San Mateo, Rizal. After completing her 12-hour shift, Nanay Claire had to walk for another four hours to return to her house.
“Imposible,” Ho said. “Pero ngayon, may bisikleta na siya kaya makakatrabaho na siya ulit!!”
(Impossible. But now, she has a bicycle so she can start working again!)
Ho also gave another bike to a man named Rufino, who works as a merchandiser at a supermarket. She explained that since Rufino is a frontliner, he has been continuously working since Metro Manila was placed under quarantine last March.
However, in order to report to work, Rufino had to walk all the way to Quezon City from his home in Caloocan.
In line with World Bicycle Day, the local government units of Taguig City and San Juan are set to open bike lanes to give residents an alternative mode of transportation amid the few options allowed under GCQ.
Meanwhile, Manila Development Authority spokesperson Celine Pialago said they want bikers to “use the sidewalks on Edsa and other thoroughfares so they are not prone to accidents.” /ra
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