Delivery workers face discrimination amid COVID-19 threat

Ronnel Legaspi (left) and Rodrigo Cayabyab (right) are Ninja Van drivers who sacrifice their own safety to deliver supplies amid the threat of COVID-19.

Like other essential personnel, delivery workers are among the frontliners who risk exposure to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) to keep the world running.

They make sure groceries get restocked, households get their vitamins, hospitals get their personal protective equipment, and supplies get to wherever they are needed.

While many people salute frontliners for their sacrifices, some have chosen to discriminate against delivery workers in fear of contracting the virus.

"Halos ayaw ka na kausapin ng mga customers kasi nga na co-conscious na sila sa nangyayari," Ronnel Legaspi, a Ninja Van rider, told GMA News Online. "Baka kala nila may virus kami kasi iba-iba nga rin nakakasalamuha naming mga tao."

Legaspi, 27, also face challenges in delivering items to households as some barangays do not allow entry amid the enhanced community quarantine.

"Tine-text ko na lang 'yung guest kung malapit, nakikipag-cooperate," he said. "Ang ginagawa na lang po nila nag-iiwan sila ng upuan sa labas ng gate nila tas naka-ready na rin 'yung payment para magawa 'yung social distancing."

Delivery workers themselves are afraid of getting sick, but doing their job at least allows them to earn a living instead of waiting for aid from the government.

"Kailangan ng panggastos. Mahirap kasi kung hindi tayo kumain," Legaspi said.

With their work, they also help other people heed government policies to stay at home.

"Ginusto ko rin kasi po kailangan natin tumulong sa nangangailangan sa bansa natin eh," said Rodrigo Cayabyab, a Ninja Van truck driver in charge of delivering PPEs from the Office of the Vice President to hospitals in Metro Manila.

"Kasi kung walang magde-deliver katulad natin wala pong makakatanggap ng mga items, ng mga gamot, ng mga PPEs sa ospital," he added.

Cayabyab, 48, admitted that he feels worried every time he goes out. But he is taking measures to keep himself safe, like wearing PPEs and delivering outside hospitals.

"Sa ngayon malaki pong takot namin dahil hindi namin nakikita kalaban namin pero sa awa naman po ng Diyos hindi naman po kami napapabayaan," he said. --MGP, GMA News