MANILA – Television host and actor Wilfredo “Willie” Revillame gave away PHP5 million pesos worth of donations to public utility jeepneys (PUJ) drivers, the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) said on Wednesday.
In a Facebook post, the LTFRB said Revillame, fondly called Kuya Wil by his fans, distributed his donation to the leaders of transport groups at the LTFRB Central Office in Quezon City.
“Sa kabuuan, nasa 3,211 na drayber ang makikinabang sa ayuda na galing sa TV host at may kaakibat ding sako-sakong bigas (In total, 3,211 drivers will benefit from the aid provided by the TV host accompanied by sacks of rice),” the LTFRB said.
The LTFRB said one of the beneficiaries, Pasang Masda led by Roberto “Ka Obet” Martin, received PHP1,459,500 and 606 sacks of rice to be distributed to its 973 members.
Revillame said he will again donate the same amount to another batch of PUJ drivers next month, thanking LTFRB for helping organize the donations.
“Ginagawa ko ‘to dahil inangat niyo ko. Alam ko kung pano mahirapan. Ito’y simula pa lang. Hanggang kaya ko tumulong, tutulong ako (I’m doing this because the public lifted me from where I was. I know how it was to be poor. This is just the beginning. I will help as much as I can),” Revillame said.
He said the donation came from his own savings. (PNA)