ISSN: 2690-0688

Research Article Journal of Humanities & Social Sciences

Heroes of The Road: The Struggles of the Tricycle Drivers Amidst COVID-19
Lockdown
Robert S. Pardillo*, Ian Augustine Celiz, Jason Florez, Lymar Lavina, Chris Jude Lumawag, Rene Platini and Mark
Sigaton

Carlos Hilado Memorial State University, Philippines *

Corresponding Author
Robert S. Pardillo, Carlos Hilado Memorial State University, Philippines.

Submitted: 2023, May 22; Accepted: 2023, Jun 27: Published: 2023, June 30

Citation: Pardillo, R. S., Celiz, I. A., Florez, J., Lavina, L., Lumawag, C. J., et al. (2023). Heroes of The Road: The Struggles of the
Tricycle Drivers Amidst COVID-19 Lockdown. J Huma Soci Scie, 6(6), 172-180.
Abstract
Despite the threat of COVID-19, the people were encouraged by their hardships and fortitude to be strong and continue
with life. This research study focused on the struggles of tricycle drivers amidst the COVID-19 lockdown. Tricycle drivers
ensure the safety of their passengers, and they make the ride sweeter with their beautiful smiles. Everything seemed to be
fine until the pandemic came. Because of lockdowns, people cannot leave their homes except for healthcare workers and
other essential workers. A phenomenological approach was used in this qualitative study to assess the experiences of the
five tricycle drivers and was chosen using an inclusion criterion. The data were thematically analyzed using Lichtman's
3Cs. The result revealed the themes that the data identified showed are mental wellbeing with subthemes of anxiety, de-
pression, and uncertainty about the future, financial difficulties with subthemes of loss of income and family survival, and
positive outlook by looking forward to recovery with subthemes on government support and strong family ties [1-3]. The
lockdowns implemented caused a temporary halt in the transportation and mobility of drivers. Because of those restric-
tions, the only source of income for the drivers was also affected, and they struggled to survive.

In conclusion, the government must be equipped to handle the difficulties that may arise during the pandemic. The gov-
ernment's support to the drivers and other sectors of society must be visible, and the government needs to catch up when
the pandemic strikes. Government should look into the welfare of this sector because they are considered the blood of the
economy. The government should always be ready when a disaster strikes and empower its citizen much more during the
pandemic [1].

Keywords: Phenomenology, Covid-19, Lockdown, Disaster Preparedness, Pandemic, Jeepney Drivers.

1. Introduction forts to stockpile goods and in anticipation of an inability to visit

In December 2019, an unknown type of pneumonia was detect- retailers [4]. Perhaps most visible were the reductions in mobility
ed in Wuhan City, People's Republic of China [2]. After the fast across multiple sectors of the transportation industry, as a variety
spread of the virus to 20 other countries, the World Health Orga- of global restrictions (e.g., border restrictions, travel bans, quar-
nization (WHO) Director-General declared on 30 more countries. antines and curfews, stay-at-home orders, closure of various ame-
On January 2020, the COVID–19 outbreak became a Public Health nities and services) reduced demand in the transportation sector
Emergency of International Concern (World Health Organization, [5]. This reduction in mobility had impacts on the transportation
n.d.). The pandemic evolution led to lockdowns within these coun- industry.
tries: starting on March 10 in Italy, with partial lockdowns in the
North before March 10 on March 15 in Spain [3]. Several mobility In the Philippines, at least 600,000 cases have been reported in
data sets have been used to study the effects of COVID–19–related just over a year, including about 13,000 deaths. At one point, the
lockdowns on mobility patterns. Philippines ranked the third highest in reported cases and deaths
within Southeast Asia and Western Pacific Region [6]. With sharp
The impacts of the pandemic were noticeable in changes in con- increases in positive cases of COVID-19, urgent measures were
sumer spending. In the early portion of the pandemic (February authorized by the President of the Philippines to mitigate the situ-
26-March 10), consumer spending increased by over 40% in ef- ation [7]. Community quarantine protocols were established with

J Huma Soci Scie, 2023 Volume 6 | Issue 6 | 172

varying classifications prescribed by the Inter-Agency Task Force 2. Theoretical Perspective
for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF). Tricycle drivers have faced several difficulties due to the recent
Different LGUs in the country were classified with a particular COVID-19 lockout, as their livelihoods are becoming increasingly
community quarantine protocol, which was initially based on the vulnerable. From a theoretical standpoint, this thesis aims to in-
number of confirmed cases of COVID-19. vestigate how tricycle drivers are trying to remain alive throughout
the lockdown. This thesis will primarily concentrate on the eco-
Public transport services were not permitted to operate at the onset nomic and psychological effects of the lockout on tricycle drivers.
of COVID-19 in the Philippines; most importantly, the govern- The challenges tricycle drivers face will be examined using several
ing bodies had only permitted private cars and specific compa- theories, including Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs, the Diffusion of
ny automobiles to use the road [8]. In addition, people could not Innovation Model, and the Resource-Based View Theory.
leave their homes except for healthcare workers and other essential
workers [9]. The capacity of tricycle drivers to satisfy their fundamental re-
quirements has been impacted by the lockdown, which will be
Negros Occidental was off-limits to Ceres buses owned by Val- examined using Maslow's Hierarchy of requirements. According
lacar Transit Inc., but those traveling from the other side of the is- to Maslow's hierarchy, the three most essential human wants are
land are permitted to enter the province in a private vehicle as long physiological, safety, and love/belonging. Tricycle drivers' capac-
as they can show an S-PaSS (Safe, Swift, and Smart Passage) and ity to satisfy these demands has been hampered by the lockdown,
a reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) neg- which has either reduced their pay or increased their psychological
ative test result or QR-coded vaccination identification card [10]. anxiety owing to concern about getting the virus.

According to Teresita Ellera in his column on Sunstar, she said, The adoption of new technology by trike drivers and the lock-
"The transport sector in Negros Occidental is one of the most af- down's economic effects will be investigated using the Diffusion
fected during the pandemic." The city mayor, Javi Benitez, has of Innovation Model. This concept is predicated on the notion that
donated financial assistance to The Victorias City Alliance of new technology is accepted gradually, with those who benefit the
Tricycle Owners and Drivers Association (VCATODA) since the most from doing so. Tricycle drivers are more inclined to use new
Covid-19 pandemic started. On the same page, the tricycle drivers technologies, such as ride-hailing applications, to boost their in-
shared that there are fewer passengers and their daily income has come because they are already struggling financially due to the
been dramatically affected. There was a time when they could not lockout. The Resource-Based View Theory will then be used to
go out to ply their routes because restrictions and health protocol examine how the lockout has impacted the ability of tricycle driv-
guidelines limited the number of passengers for every trip at the ers to access resources like networks and capital.
height of the lockdown.
According to the resource-based view theory, resources are crucial
In the city's interior, the major transportation is a motorized tri- for organizational performance, and the lockout has restricted the
cycle. Tricycle drivers ensure passengers' safety and make rides availability of tricycle drivers to resources.
sweeter with beautiful smiles. Everything seemed to be fine up
until the pandemic began. 3. Methodology
3.1 Research Instrument and Data Gathering Procedure
This research study aimed to discover and systematically under- This research is qualitative that uses a phenomenological ap-
stand the lived experiences of the tricycle drivers in one of the proach. The researcher employs a phenomenological research
cities in Negros Occidental during the Covid-19 lockdown. This design to analyze the participants' emotions, perceptions, and be-
study aims to shed new light on and provide more excellent knowl- liefs to determine the essence of their experiences. The study was
edge of the realities tricycle drivers face due to the COVID-19 conducted in one of the cities in Negros Occidental, Philippines.
lockdown. In addition, it is essential to investigate the lived expe- The researcher uses purposive sampling and setting of inclusion
riences of these tricycle drivers, including the challenges and cop- criteria to identify the study participants. The researcher asked per-
ing mechanisms during the lockdown. This study's findings will mission from the President of the drivers and operators and served
be utilized to develop activities or programs that alleviate tricycle as a gatekeeper. It must be (1) a tricycle driver and no other means
drivers' plight and help them recover from the pandemic. of living or source of income, (2) a resident of the place being stud-
ied, (3) their ages must be at least 35-60 years old, (4) a member of
This study sought to determine the struggles of tricycle drivers Tricycle Operators Driver Association (TODA) of the place being
amidst the COVID-19 lockdown. Specifically, this study aimed to studied. (4) with a family that has two or more children.
answer the following questions, namely: What do tricycle driv-
ers experience the challenges during the COVID-19 lockdown? 3.2 Research Instrument
Furthermore, what are the coping mechanisms of tricycle drivers The researcher focused on the in-depth interview that was con-
during the COVID-19 lockdown? ducted face-to-face. The plenary is the way to gather data and
fulfill all the needs of the study. The discussion is guided by
J Huma Soci Scie, 2023 Volume 6 | Issue 6 | 173
open-ended questions made by the researchers that consist of three 4. Data Analysis
(3) questions that cover all the information in the research study. The researcher used three Cs of Lichtman (code, categorizing,
The researcher also used audio recordings with smartphones and conceptualizing). The researchers repeatedly read and re-read each
other electronic devices that can record audio-the interview was interview transcript until they understood it thoroughly. Specific
conducted in the participants' most comfortable language. phrases and sentences were highlighted in the interview that later
received a descriptive code.

The researchers combined the codes and looked at the various 5.3 Dependability
codes developed based on the experiences of tricycle drivers To establish the dependability of our study, we ensured consisten-
during the COVID-19 lockdown. The researchers assembled the cy during the data collection and analysis. It was accomplished
codes into brand-new categories. The researchers achieved this by by outlining the precise steps involved in data collection. The re-
grouping the significant statements into core classifications after searchers' use of numerous recording devices during the interview
assigning them to the same code. The response of the participants ensures that the raw data are fully processed.
was recorded and categorized into themes.
5.4 Confirmability
5. Rigors of the Findings This rigor will demonstrate that the data are the source of the re-
5.1 Transferability searcher's interpretations and findings. The researcher explains
To address transferability, we described the research context and how they arrived at their conclusions and interpretations. [11]. It
assumptions central to the research in detail and showed all data as shows how impartial or objective the data is. The researcher used
transparent as possible. Researchers ensured that they provide data bracketing in this study to set aside her prejudices. The analysis of
with thick descriptions so that the person who wishes to "transfer" the data was based entirely on the information obtained. An audit
the results to a different context is responsible for judging how trail was finally used. The developed themes—built from the codes
sensible the transfer is. and categories-were presented to an outside auditor during this
step. The number of used significant statements from fifty (50%)
5.2 Credibility percent or more participants were audited, and their consistency
In establishing the credibility of our study conducted, the re- with the transcriptions was established. Consequently, a certifica-
searchers ensure that rigor is appropriately observed during the tion was obtained confirming that the cited significant statements
data collection, especially during the interviews. The researchers existed and were solely derived from the participants' responses.
avoided concluding the discussions but based everything on factu-
al data directly from the participants. The President of the TODA 5.5 Ethical Considerations
is the gatekeeper to choose precisely the study participants. The Through research protocols, the researchers complied with the
researchers viewed the individual transcripts, looking for similar- guidelines. The researchers assured the respondents that their an-
ities and commonalities between and among all participants. The swers would be treated respectfully, ensuring the study's ethical
researchers conducted the interview the second time to gather ex- soundness.
act responses and accurate data.
5.6 Informed Consent
In the data gathering of the researchers, the informed consent was
J Huma Soci Scie, 2023 Volume 6 | Issue 6 | 174
distributed and discussed its content to the respondents. This no- with subthemes of government support and strong family ties. The
tice of consent letter ensured that the researcher told the respon- themes result from understanding the tricycle drivers' struggles,
dent of the nature, purpose, causes, and benefits. including the challenges experienced and their coping mechanisms
amidst the COVID-19 lockdown.
5.7 Privacy and Confidentiality
The researchers will assure the respondents that their answers to Theme 1: Mental well being
the questions will be treated with strict confidentiality and that the The coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic and the social distancing
respondents have the right to refuse since they were not forced to protocols used to impede the spread of the virus may have severe
answer. Nothing could be disclosed without their express consent mental health consequences. The purpose of this study was to in-
to the release or publication of their identity. The participants' in- vestigate the network of components of pandemic-related negative
formation was coded with pseudonyms to protect their identities. psychological states (i.e., fear of infection, financial worries, lone-
Eventually, the unprocessed and electronic data will appropriately liness) and symptoms of major depressive disorder (MDD) and
be disposed of after processing within a predetermined timeframe. generalized anxiety disorder (GAD).

5.8 Justice According to Pieh, it is reasonable to be stressed in the context of

The basic information used in the materials from the participants the coronavirus pandemic. It concerns contracting the virus, how
would be safeguarded appropriately and kept out of the reach of the family will react, how schoolwork and routines will be affect-
anyone but the researcher. All interviews with participants were ed, and whether a person still has a job and enough money. It is
conducted in private and were recorded. It was guaranteed that no miserable because all of these stressors are combined with the me-
information would be used against the participants' will and that dia hype and dealing with disappointments [12].
all information would only be used to gather reference data for the
advancement of the study. The participants shared their experiences on their mental wellbe-
ing during the lockdown. This theme was generated from its sub-
6. Risk and Benefits themes: anxiety, uncertainty about the future, and misery.
The study's possible risks and benefits were considered, and the re-
searchers took the appropriate precautions to limit potential harm Anxiety
and maximize potential benefits. This research study ensured that The Centers for Disease Prevention and Control (CDC) conducted
the participants were fully informed about the study's purpose, pos- a national survey of more than 5000 US individuals in June 2020,
sible risks, and benefits. It also involved offering participants any and they discovered that more than a third (40.9%) of the respon-
support and resources they might need. The minimal health pre- dents had experienced at least one mental health issue, such as
cautions established by the IATF were followed for the in-person depression or anxiety, during the COVID-19 [13].
interview participants, ensuring our protection against COVID-19.
In the Philippines, 13.4% of respondents experienced moderate to
Furthermore, this study focused on the lived experiences of tri- severe stress signals, 16.9% of respondents reported moderate to
cycle drivers during the COVID-19 lockdown and to be a refer- severe depression symptoms, 6.3% of respondents reported mod-
ence for everyone to identify what needs to be implemented or erate to powerful psychological effect, 28.8% of respondents indi-
developed for the sake of the tricycle drivers and other small local cated moderate to severe anxiety symptoms [14].
transportation operators for them in raising their awareness of how
to solve their problem amid a crisis, it also calls for the operators “Gakabalaka ka man sa imo pamilya ti kay ano man akon mai-
to become vigilant in the face of this kind of phenomenon. In ad- hatag kay nauntat ang akon ubra”. (I am worried what will hap-
dition, this study can be a way that barangay officials can create pened to my family especially now that I don’t have work).
programs and provide the necessary help.
Takot din siguro, natatakot sa pamilyamo kasi baka mag kasakit,
7. Results, Presentation of Data, and Discussion magutom, at mawala. Hindi rin biro kasi yung mga nangyare
This chapter discusses the analyses and interpretations of the par- na yon, akala naming hindi na babalik sa dati ang lahat.” (I am
ticipant's responses to questions regarding the experiences of tri- scared of what will happen to my family, what if they will get sick
cycle drivers during the COVID-19 lockdown. The participant's and die. The situation (pandemic) is not a joke and we thought we
responses were taken from the interviews conducted with them. cannot go back to normal)

The researchers coded, categorized, and recognized concepts in Worldwide, the COVID-19 pandemic and lockdown might in-
the verbatim type of transcription of the interviews. The themes crease anxiety and depressive symptoms. Health bodies have pro-
that the data identified revealed are (1) mental wellbeing with sub- vided recommendations for coping with these symptoms, but most
themes of anxiety, depression, and uncertainty about the future, (2) are based on potentially different experiences (e.g., individual pris-
financial difficulties with subthemes of loss of income and family on isolation) or events (e.g., natural disasters). To our knowledge,
survival, and (3) positive outlook by looking forward to recovery no study has investigated which behaviors may protect against
J Huma Soci Scie, 2023 Volume 6 | Issue 6 | 175
these symptoms during the current situation [15]. effect on the economy. Demand-supply imbalances can be seen in
any industry. The impact of COVID-19 can also be seen in public
Fear and uncertainty related to the spread of the virus were one transport usage. COVID-19 is upending the global economy, caus-
of the most important predictors of emotional distress in all the ing a drop in international trade [21].
groups apart from the adults between 18 and 29 years, whereas dif-
ficulties related to external restrictions were one of the most signif- The theme, financial difficulties, pertains to the notion that tricycle
icant predictors of depressive and anxiety symptoms exclusively drivers suffered from financial status during the COVID-19 lock-
in the youngest group [16]. down, and the job restriction was held temporarily. There are two
sub-themes within this category: (1) loss of income and (2) family
Depression survival.
The transmission of COVID‐19 may cause considerable fatigue
and depression [17]. Within three months of testing positive, al- Loss of income
most 20% of people diagnosed with COVID-19 were analyzed Significant hardship was brought by the COVID-19 pandemic and
with psychiatric disorders, including anxiety, depression, or in- its associated economic effects. Tens of millions of individuals
somnia [18]. Studies also indicate that the younger people are, the lost their employment first few months of the crisis (Tracking the
more severe the symptoms they experience. However, older in- COVID-19 Economy's Effects on Food, Housing, and Employ-
dividuals demonstrated higher severity of anxiety and depressive ment Hardships | Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, 2020).
symptoms, and other psychopathological symptoms than younger
people during the COVID-19 outbreak. The participants conveyed information about their financial status
amidst the lockdown. All five participants stated that during the
Feeling of Uncertainty COVID-19 lockdown, their income was significantly impacted as
The participants shared their experiences of feeling of uncertainty tricycle drivers.
during the lockdown. It refers to the mental health issues expe-
rienced by tricycle drivers during the COVID-19 lockdown. The “Amo to nga mga tinion miski bugas hindi kami kabakal o kun kis.a
participants claimed that the COVID-19 lockdown affected their biskwit nalang para sa mga bata.” (During those times, we could
mental wellbeing. not afford to buy rice, and sometimes my children ate only biscuits)

Furthermore, a negative relationship between fatigue and social “Dako gid ang epekto kay wala gid income mo, sang waay pang
connectedness, which was mediated by feelings of stress, general ang COVID lockdown ga kita ko P400-P600 kada adlaw sa byahe
worries, and COVID-19-specific worries—respectively, indicat- ti sang pagdiklarar nga malockdown tungod sa COVID tiuntat eh,
ing that individuals with smaller network sizes, who were highly waayna may mahimo. Wala man pasahero kay hindi man pwede ka
distressed during the pandemic, were also likely to report feeling gwa.” (Big effect on our income; before the lockdown, we earn as
more tired [19]. much as P400-P600 daily. When the lockdown was enforced, we
had nothing we could do because people could not go outside)
“Nasubuan, sa kung ano ang matabo sa amon. Gustuhon man na-
mon nga mangita kinabuhi-a pro kay hindi gid ka gwa kag nahad- Due to the COVID pandemic's inability to be contained and the need
lok ka man nga ikaw magkasakit pati pamilya damay.” (I am sad for lockdowns and strict physical separation policies, the Philippines
about what will happen to us. We wanted to look for a job, but it is in a severe state of emergency. As a result, many economic ac-
is still in lockdown, and we are still afraid that we will bring the tivities—particularly those related to travel, tourism, the arts and
virus at home). entertainment, hotels and restaurants, and the majority of manufac-
turing and many services—have been reduced due to the decreased
Theme 2: Financial Difficulties demand from people staying indoors during the day [22].
In March 2020, the World Health Organization declared COVID-19
a worldwide pandemic. Countries implemented public health mea- The ideas mentioned above are consistent with Fallesen's (2023);
sures to contain and control the disease's spread. These measures industries experienced particularly severe job losses, such as con-
included closing educational institutions, nonessential businesses, struction (56%) and public transportation (52%), while informal
events, and activities and working from and staying at home re- workers also experienced cumulative job losses. Moreover, Rojas
quirements. These measures have led to an economic downturn (2021), since the pandemic in March 2020, Puno a subject for an
of unprecedented proportions. Generally, as economic activity de- interview, and his fellow tricycle drivers in Caloocan North said that
clines, travel decreases, and drivers are exposed to a lower risk of they have only been able to ply their routes three times a week, given
collisions [20]. strict lockdowns and people primarily working from home. "You are
lucky if you can make Php300-Php400 a day," said the driver, who
In addition, the entire world is coping with a slew of new issues earned twice as much pre-pandemic. Moreover, more is needed to
due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Businesses and other activities support their family.
worldwide have been negatively impacted, which has a knock-on
J Huma Soci Scie, 2023 Volume 6 | Issue 6 | 176
Survival for the Family lockdowns, possibly to an even greater extent since it is novel
Families are living in an uncertain world during lockdown. Most and unanalyzed during the anticipation period [26,27]. Previous
of what lies ahead in life is still unpredictable, whether it has to do research on discrete stressors has demonstrated that anticipating
with a worldwide epidemic, the economy, or the finances, health, positive events can produce increases in positive emotion both be-
and relationships. Nonetheless, the people want security. They de- fore the stressor and when recovering from the stressor [28].
sire security and control over our lives and wellbeing.
Government Support
The theme, surviving, refers to the strategic way or the coping The working poor in the Philippines are receiving cash during the
mechanisms of the tricycle drivers to stay a specific phenomenon. Covid-19 lockdowns. Residents have been lining up in the capital
city of Manila to claim subsidies, which are worth a maximum of
“Amo na eh, nangita kami ni misis miski papano pamaagi, kay 4,000 pesos (US$79) per family or 1,000 pesos (US$20) for each
sadto nga tion nag kwa lang kami travel pass kag naglibod sang individual. Without a reliable source of income, many people in
mga utan sa mga balay-balay para makasurvive.” (My wife and I the Philippines have been trying to make ends meet.
find a way to get a travel pass to sell vegetables to each household
to survive) All five participants received aid from the government and other
branches of society, whether local or private sector, which helped
“Mula kasi nong nawalan ng trabaho, eh nagtitinda ako ng isda, them survive the situation.
kinukuha ko pa sa Tabao at inaalok kung sino bibili, gawa ng hindi
sila makalabas eh binabahay-bahay ko para makaraos at mabu- “…Gapasalamat nalang kami to kay miski papano may ara ayuda
hay” nga gaabot pro kung sa akon pamilya hindi gid kaigo kag kulang
(Since I lost my job, I have sold fish and offered to everyone since gid.” (We are only grateful that assistance was provided in some
they cannot go out for us to live and survive). way, but for my family, it is insufficient and not enough).

Based on the assertion mentioned above, there are still those who “…hindi man gapabaya amon barangay kag ginahatagan kami
fight in times of crisis despite poverty and hopelessness. Four out nila ayuda halin sa gobyerno. Kabalo man kami nga kulang amo
of five participants dared to make a living despite the risk of the na nga gatinguha gid kami nga makabaligya miski papano para
outbreak. Although one of the participants used to have a sec- idugang lang sa amon gasto sa adlaw-adlaw, pagkaon sang mga
ondary job, this is still an excellent strategy to survive amidst the bata pinaka importante.” (Our barangay is not neglectful, and they
COVID-19 lockdown. give us aid from the government. We know there is not enough, so
we strive to sell somehow to supplement our daily expenses, chil-
The finding is congruent with Kabagani (2020) in an interview dren's food is the most important).
with the Philippine News Agency (PNA), a 36-year-old tricycle
driver from Barangay Culiat in Quezon City Samad Maulana stat- “Ang mga ayuda na ibinibigay sa amin kahit hindi sasapat ke-
ed that he was aware that the transportation ban was intended to langan padin na pagkasyahen mga suportang binibigay ng ating
stop the spread of the highly contagious illness and that it might gobyerno isa rin sa nagpapatuloy sa buhay naming nong may
endure for some time. Furthermore, using the economic assistance lockdown.” (The aid that is given to us, even if it is not enough,
he obtained from the government, he seized an opportunity to our government's support is also one of the things that continue in
improve his circumstances despite the difficulties caused by the our lives during the lockdown).
coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) outbreak. Maulana's little
barbeque business grew more than two weeks after it opened. He The capacity to give individuals in need quick aid is the main
now also sells fresh veggies, saba bananas, and ripe mangoes [23]. benefit of government support. Governments are in a position to
immediately respond to the needs of their population and support
Theme 3 Positive Outlook by Looking Forward to Recovery them in trying times by offering financial assistance, welfare, and
Scholars have suggested that the level of panic is correlated with other types of relief. In times of economic distress, this aid may be
knowledge and attitude among the population. This review summa- a massive benefit by enabling residents to pay their bills, buy ne-
rizes knowledge, philosophy, and practice during the COVID-19 cessities, and maintain their living levels. Government assistance
pandemic among healthcare workers, medical students, and people can also boost the economy and encourage companies to remain
in the US, the UK, Italy, Jordan, and China in April 2020. Analysis open, which can help generate employment and lessen the finan-
reveals that the knowledge level was generally positive, and opti- cial damage brought on by the epidemic.
mistic attitudes [24].
On the other side, lockdowns have also been employed to stop the
One avenue through which people experience positive emotions COVID-19 virus from spreading. Governments have been able to
is anticipating positive events [25]. Anticipation involves cog- minimize the propagation of the virus and safeguard their popula-
nitively simulating a possible future event. It has been shown to tion by implementing restrictions on mobility and assembly. Lock-
accurately induce the amount of emotion experienced during the downs have also slowed the virus's transmission, giving govern-
J Huma Soci Scie, 2023 Volume 6 | Issue 6 | 177
ments time to plan and prepare for the pandemic. Additionally, by are therefore in danger of getting the virus, cannot get the appro-
reducing hospital congestion and ensuring that medical resources priate protective equipment or testing.
are accessible to those who need them most, lockdowns can lessen
the strain on healthcare systems [29]. The lockdown's effects on trike drivers have significantly influ-
enced the local economy due to the decline in the number of tri-
Strong Family Ties cycle drivers, the number of tricycle trips, and the revenue they
Strong family relationships and a positive mindset are essential, produce. This lockdown has caused a drop in local demand for
as the current epidemic has helped to remind us. Having a solid products and services, making the lockdown's consequences on
network of family and friends to lean on, as well as a positive out- the drivers' livelihoods even more detrimental. Additionally, as
look, can help people cope with the stress and anxiety brought on there are fewer tricycle journeys to spread out the automobiles and
by the pandemic, even though it has had several adverse effects on other vehicles on the roads, the decline in tricycle trips has also
people, families, and communities around the world [30]. contributed to increased traffic congestion and air pollution in cit-
ies and towns.
Resilience and a positive mindset are crucial in coping with the
epidemic. A positive outlook can build strength and adaptive cop- In conclusion, the government's tight limitations in response to
ing mechanisms, lowering stress and anxiety [31]. Furthermore, the new coronavirus outbreak have impacted the Philippines' tri-
studies have demonstrated that an optimistic mindset might result cycle drivers. The drivers have lost much money and are likely
in better physical and mental health results. to become sick because of how frequently they interact with pas-
sengers. Additionally, as it has increased traffic congestion and air
“Importante man lang nga hindi sila magutman kag ululupod lang pollution, decreased demand for products and services, and de-
kami sa gihapon...lipay naman ko basta upod ko akon pamilya. creased income from trike journeys, the decline in the number of
Miskan damo kana gakabatiaan nga damo nga gakalamatay ti tricycle trips has substantially impacted the local economy. Thus,
ikaw nga ginikanan nahadlok ka man sa mga posible nga mata- it is evident that the tricycle drivers have experienced great diffi-
bo sa pamilya mo, muna nga ginasalig ko nalang sa Ginoo ang culty during the COVID-19 lockdown and need further assistance
tanan nga matapos naman gid tanan…” (It's just important that from the government to ensure that their livelihoods are not further
they don't go hungry and we're still together. I'm happy as long as compromised. Thus, it is evident that the tricycle drivers have had
I'm with my family. Even though you have heard a lot that many to struggle significantly during the COVID-19 shutdown and need
people are dying, you, as a parent, are afraid of what might happen further support and assistance.
to your family, so I trust in God that everything will be alright).
“…Pero kahit ganon may saya padin naman na nadarama kasi References
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