A press conference
and forum were held last November 22 at Max’s Restaurant in Quezon City that
launched “Para Kay Manong Toda” where the objectives were presented to the
media and guests.
Conceptualized by Ms.
Eva Lisa Adoremos, the primary goal of Manong Toda is to address the needs of
our Manong tricycle drivers and with the help of The Madrigal Foundation this
worthy advocacy can reach as much as many tricycle drivers nationwide.
Some people from
private sectors as well as representatives of various government agencies are
ready to help spread the good news to tricycle drivers. The advocacy for the
tricycle drivers in the Philippines will benefit many Filipino families who are
marginalized and with various key people pledging assistance, solutions to common
and basic problems of our Manong Toda drivers will be readily available.
Two set of panel discussions have transpired which covered topics from environmental issues to health and well-being for our tricycle drivers.
Set of panelists
includes:
1. Shariff Ibrahim
(An advocate and aspiring public servant. Running for a seat at the senate)
2. Migui Moreno
(Actor and Businessman. Aspiring public servant from Quezon City)
3. Mario Batuigas
(Aspiring public servant from Bulacan and a former radio broadcaster and now
holds an online broadcast)
4. Bong Quiroga
(Business Chamber President for Business)
5. Rey Castro
(Barangay Captain at Santa Maria, Bulacan, TODA)
6. Usec Rose
Bistoyong (Climate Change Council)
7. Eva Lisa Adoremos
(Manong Toda)
8. Ms. Therese
Madrigal (Madrigal Foundation)
Attendees comprised
of key personalities from government sector, private companies and even guests
from other countries. Overwhelmed with the huge success of this event, Therese
Madrigal pledged that this is just the beginning of this advocacy for tricycle
drivers and will soon tour the country to bring support to tricycle drivers as
well as operators on a nationwide level.
The successful media
launch and forum for “Para Kay Manong Toda” was moderated by PTV anchorwoman
Emelie Katigbak and Manila Times business writer Engr, Grace Bondad Nicolas.
The “Para Kay Manong
Toda” advocates the very basic needs of our Manong tricycle drivers.
Considering that these modern-day heroes are vulnerable to various hazards that
include exposure to pollution and environmental hazards, one of the objectives
of Manong Toda is to address the working and health conditions of the tricycle
drivers.
Under this advocacy,
the importance of medical assistance in a form of health insurance and other
medical services will be readily made available to Manong Toda members.
The
Madrigal Foundation believes that through information dissemination the plight of
tricycle drivers in the Philippines will have a voice thus providing them a
perfect channel where their needs and pleas will be heard.
Photo Op with Ms. Therese Madrigal (Madrigal Foundation) and Migui Moreno
Manong Toda together
with Madrigal Foundation and through the collective efforts of concern parties will
help ensure the well-being of our tricycle drivers providing them access to
various programs that aim to solve issues that concern them.
For more information on
Manong Toda you may call these numbers: 09778978877/022193503
It was such an honor to be part of this event as one of the guests
from the media.
Being a commuter who often ride tricycles for many years, I already
seen and heard the concerns of our fellow Manong tricycle drivers firsthand.
Manong Toda is a unique advocacy that targets the concerns of tricycle drivers
in the Philippines.
Kudos to Madrigal Foundation and to Ms. Adoremos who
conceptualized this advocacy campaign.
NOTICE: No part of this article should be copied, altered or used in anyway without consent from the author. All content, photos and video are credited to the author, Macy Santos.
No comments:
Post a Comment