53 The right to social security of the workers in the informal economy/ sector are limiting the amount to be loaned as they, too, experienced financial hardships due to the impact of the pandemic.150 Perceptions Majority of the participants think that the government is less responsive to the needs of the workers in the informal economy. They recognize the efforts of the government to assist the WIES, but they maintain that the initiatives are not sufficient,151 the resources allocated for the programs are not “equally” distributed152 and could not be felt,153 they are not adequately informed of the programs in place,154 and others did not receive that benefits they applied for.155 Some 21.88 percent said that the government is not responsive to their needs. They claimed that the emergency cash subsidy is not substantial because when stretched over the days of the entire lockdown, it could possibly allow them to buy rice and viand for a day but does not leave much for any other essential needs.156 And while business operations and other economic activities are slowly resuming albeit unevenly due to “granular lockdowns,” jeepney drivers could only take in half of their capacity due to social distancing rules and others could not operate yet as only selective routes are allowed to ply Metro Manila. Also, the issues on jeepney phase-out and modernization loomed. This added to the challenges the jeepney drivers are facing. On the other hand, an overwhelming majority affirmed that the government has no sufficient social protection programs and/or measures in place in case of a prolonged pandemic or when another disaster/s, calamity/ies, or crisis strike/s. The issue of the jeepney modernization program surfaced during a time when the jeepney drivers and operators are facing an uncertain flow of income streams.157 While the program aimed at rationalizing the Philippines’ fragmented public transport system and reducing air pollution by pushing for lower-emission vehicles, the timing is not favorable especially during a pandemic. Worse, the Id. Consultation with the workers in the informal economy/sector, supra note 117.See also Consultation with the workers in the informal economy/sector, supra note 119. 152 Id. 153 Consultation with the workers in the informal economy/sector, supra note 117. 154 Id. 155 Id. 156 Consultation with the workers in the informal economy/sector, supra note 120. 157 Consultation with the workers in the informal economy/sector, supra note 120. 150 151