With fuel prices continuing to strain daily earnings, 500 jeepney and tricycle drivers in Zamboanga City received food assistance through “Kalinga sa Manibela” on May 1, 2026, providing immediate relief from food insecurity and financial strain among transport workers whose livelihoods depend on daily operations.
Organized by the Ateneo de Zamboanga University (AdZU), through the Social Development Unit (SDU) and Social Awareness and Community Service Involvement Office (SACSI), supported by the Tanging Yaman Foundation and donations from individuals and stakeholders, the initiative distributed rice and food packs that provided short-term support to affected families while reinforcing community support amid rising living costs.
Beneficiaries included members of jeepney drivers’ associations (JODA) and tricycle drivers’ associations (TODA), sectors considered among the most vulnerable to fuel price increases due to their reliance on daily transport operations for income.
In celebration of Labor Day, AdZU affirmed the dignity and contributions of workers in the transport sector, expressing solidarity with their everyday struggles while upholding its Ignatian values of care, justice, and service. Through this initiative, the University continues to embody its commitment to being men and women for and with others, responding to the needs of vulnerable communities through compassionate and sustained engagement.
SDU and SACSI continue to accept in-kind donations, stay updated through the SDU Facebook Page for updates to support ‘Kalinga sa Manibela.’
