By Saul Pa-a and Maroe T. Genosa/PNA
BATANGAS CITY — The city council has recognized a Good Samaritan here who offered free rides to the elderly.
Jeepney driver Conrado Comia took center stage as his good deed reached the Sangguniang Panlungsod (City Legislative Council) which unanimously passed a resolution honoring him for his compassion and kindred spirit.
The 42-year-old driver was humbled as the resolution was read Tuesday before him at the session hall.
The resolution cited Comia as a good example for his fellow drivers due to his high respect for his passengers especially the elderly, pregnant women, and persons with disabilities (PWDs).
It commended the jeepney driver’s good deed as an inspiration to the entire city constituents.
In an interview, Comia said he started providing free rides for elderly and disadvantage sector last year, and vowed to continue this generosity as long as God allows him.
“Napakaliit na bagay po para sa akin ng ginagawa kong ito. Naawa po kasi ako sa mga matatanda kaya simula po noong nakaraang taon, hindi ko na po sila pinababayad kapag sumasakay sila sa jeep ko (This is a small thing what I have been doing. I pity the elders that’s why I started last year giving them free rides),” he said.
Comia’s jeepney plies the Batangas-Capitol-Hospital route. Senior citizens, who are supposed to be covered by the 20-percent discounted fare, are instead given free rides.
“Sa totoo lamang po, maliit ang kita sa pamamasada lalo na po at hindi sa akin ang jeep na ginagamit ko. Pero okay lang po sa akin dahil alam ko na nakakatulong ako sa aking kapwa at masaya ako dahil na-aappreciate nila ang aking ginagawa (Frankly, I only earn a little from my trips, especially that I do not own the jeepney I am driving. But that’s okay with me because I know I am helping my fellow persons and I am happy because they appreciate what I am doing),” he added.
Dhang de Castro, a passenger, also shared that he found Comia to be “very kind and helpful”, citing an incident when the driver really disembarked from his jeepney to assist passengers who were carrying heavy stuffs.
“God bless you kuya sana marami pa po ang katulad niyo (God bless you brother and I hope there are a lot of people like you),” remarked de Castro.
Another passenger Cristopher Reyes Santos, also praised Comia, saying “this proves we can do even in small ways to help our fellow persons”.
