We are members of duly-registered associations of tricycle drivers and operators in the cities of Tacloban, Baybay and Hilongos, in the province of Leyte. We are workers in the informal sector.

Prior to the onslaught of Yolanda (Haiyan), transporting people around the city through motorized-cabs for hire had been our main source of income. Because income is irregular in this nature of work, we earn less than what we need. Hence, most of us suffer poor and miserable lives.

This condition likewise explains why many of us, together with other poor people, live in urban poor communities where we face recurrent and extreme vulnerabilities from both man-made and natural calamities. In other words, we are poor, defenceless and were unprepared to face the strongest typhoon in history.

We were all devastated but poor people like us suffered the most. And while we clearly understand that it was Nature’s wrath that made our lives more miserable now, we are also aware that today’s extreme weather systems are the awful outcome of climate change caused by unrestrained economic activities of industrial countries. Thus, we believe that, on the one hand, more than the humanitarian aspect, developed countries have the historical, moral, and social responsibility to come to our aid.

On the other hand, the government, both national and local, must put their act together in formulating a new type of rehabilitation and rebuilding plan. Enough of your petty political squabbles! We are not interested in your political plans. What you owe us is immediate, climate-resilient, inclusive, and empowering rehabilitation and rebuilding program.

It is also along this line that we enjoin the international aid agencies. We are aware that many of you are still in the relief and life-saving stage. But once this stage is over, we enjoin you to help us build a new model community out of the ruins of Yolanda.

We are not beggars and we do want to live on relief and aid forever. We want jobs because it is a guarantee to a person’s long-term security and a life of dignity. We want to rebuild our lives. We want to rebuild our communities. Hence, in the rehabilitation and rebuilding process, we do not want to just revert back to where were before Yolanda. We want a new community – a better community.

We are glad to hear about the launch last December 18 of the US$8.17-billion plan under the so-called Reconstruction Assistance on Yolanda (RAY). We hope and pray, however, that every cent spent from this fund addresses not just the immediate but also the long term needs of Pepe and Pilar.

Specifically, we would like the concerned government agencies, international donors, the Church and civic groups to make employment, social protection, and people’s participation the bedrock of all our rehabilitation plans.

In particular, we put forward the following demands:

• Jobs for displaced TODA members and for unemployed Taclobanons.

• Moratorium on payment of fees, specifically the renewal of business permits for FY 2014.

• Financial assistance for motor/cab repairs or for acquisition of new units.

• Fuel subsidy for registered TODA members.

• Mandatory SSS and Philhealth coverage for TODA members through NG or LGU sponsorship programs.

• In-city relocation and climate-resilient socialized housing program for informal settlers.

• Participation in the rehabilitation and rebuilding process.

We make this appeal not as mere victims of Yolanda but as Filipino citizens who are entitled to the broadest social protection possible from the State.

Finally, we believe that everything is possible as long as everyone considers the task of rehabilitation and rebuilding a collective mission, and the dream for a new community rising out of Yolanda ruins a common vision.

24 December 2013

Tacloban Federation of MCH Drivers and Association, Inc.
TAFEMDO

Taksikad Operators and Drivers Organization
TODO – Hilongos

RAM – Region 8

Partido ng Manggagawa – Region 8