Jeepney driver, nagkaroon ng seizure habang nakapila para sa P5,000 ayuda sa Quezon City

• A jeepney driver suffered a seizure while waiting in line for the P5,000 aid distributed by DSWD in Quezon City
• Fellow drivers helped by fanning him and pouring water, while a responder performed CPR before he was rushed to Quezon City General Hospital
• Many drivers, including those on the Lagro-Cubao route, are struggling due to rising fuel prices and being excluded from the LTFRB list
• DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian says the agency will coordinate with local LTFRB offices to identify drivers missing from the list and prepare for the next round of aid distribution

A jeepney driver experienced a seizure while waiting for the P5,000 financial aid being distributed by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) in Quezon City.

Fellow drivers immediately assisted him by fanning him and pouring water, while a responder performed CPR before he was transported to Quezon City General Hospital. Authorities said the driver suffered an electrolyte imbalance due to hunger.

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The incident highlights the growing struggles of jeepney drivers amid rising fuel prices.

Many drivers were reportedly excluded from the official list maintained by the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB), adding to their financial difficulties.

Most of those waiting in line for aid travel the Lagro-Cubao route, and several apologized to stranded passengers along Commonwealth Avenue while explaining their urgent need for support.

"Napakahalaga po nu’n dahil sa hirap ng biyahe. Wala kaming kinikita. Dalawang araw lang po na karga. [Pag naubos], 'yun ang problema kung saan kami kukuha," said driver Remegion Quitay.

One driver, Juvy Bongolto, immediately went to claim aid after being discharged from the hospital following a second stroke.

DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian said the agency plans to coordinate with LTFRB offices in local government units to identify drivers who were left out of the list.

"Makikipag-ugnayan po kami sa mga operator ng jeep at mga samahan ng tsuper upang matukoy ang mga hindi naisama sa listahan," he said.

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The department is also preparing for a second round of aid distribution in case tensions in the Middle East continue to affect overseas Filipino workers. Gatchalian noted that each nationwide round of assistance is expected to cost around P7 billion.

The initiative reflects the government’s ongoing efforts to support drivers who have been severely affected by economic pressures and rising living costs.

In a related development, authorities from the Bacoor Component City Police have identified the man seen in a viral video trying to open a vehicle as Joel Viola Matados. Police reported that Matados, a resident of General Trias, may be suffering from a medical condition. His family said he had left home earlier that day and appeared disoriented during the incident. Motorist Lorie Sy recalled the tense encounter, saying, “I stayed locked inside my car while he repeatedly pulled on my door handle in the middle of traffic.” Officials are urging anyone with information to come forward to help locate Matados so he can receive the necessary medical attention. Local health authorities are coordinating with the police to ensure he is provided proper care once found.

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In a separate operation, agents from the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) in the CALABARZON region rescued 10 individuals from an alleged abusive situation at a resort in Laguna on February 19, 2026. The operation came after weeks of surveillance, leading to the arrest of a male suspect accused of exploiting victims through social media to facilitate illegal transactions for profit. The suspect is currently detained without bail and faces multiple charges under the Anti-Traff*cking in Persons Act and the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012. Authorities stressed that the operation underscores the need for vigilance from both law enforcement and the public to protect vulnerable individuals and hold perpetrators accountable.

Source: KAMI.com.gh