Motorcycle taxi, delivery riders endure long lines for ayuda in QC, Makati

Transport network company (TNC) riders on Saturday lined up at government payout centers in Makati City and Quezon City to receive ayuda or cash assistance amid the impact of the Middle East crisis.

According to a report by Sam Nielsen on Super Radyo dzBB, riders waited in line around the Quezon Memorial Circle for the special payout of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).

The financial assistance is being provided to motorcycle taxi and delivery riders who were not included in the earlier list of beneficiaries from the TNC sector.

Contributed video posted by GMA News on Facebook showed numerous riders in line at the perimeter of the QC Circle, some of whom were holding cartons over their heads to block the strong daylight.

In Makati City, the line of motorcycle taxi and delivery riders stretched over three kilometers along Zobel Roxas Street. 

They were waiting for their turn to be accommodated at the Makati Coliseum, another distribution center for DSWD's cash relief assistance payout.

Caloocan Sports Complex and TLC Park Concert Grounds in Taguig City have also been designated as payout centers.

The DSWD had announced that P5,000 in cash assistance would be distributed to public utility vehicle (PUV) drivers and other transport service workers in Metro Manila who were unable to receive the initial payout.

Special payouts were also announced for tricycle and jeepney drivers on Saturday, April 18. 

Another payout is scheduled for motorcycle taxi and delivery riders on April 19, Sunday.

The DSWD has encouraged drivers and riders to personally appear to claim their cash assistance, adding that it plans to eventually transition to a digital distribution system.

In a Bagong Pilipinas Ngayon interview, DSWD spokesperson Irene Dumlao said the department is trying to prevent "ghost" or ineligible beneficiaries from making claims.

"The reason we require physical presence is so that when we shift to digital systems, we have already completed verification, making it easier to use electronic wallets for the distribution of financial aid," Dumlao said.

Some motorcycle taxi riders who previously attempted to claim the P5,000 benefit had complained that they went home empty-handed due to listing and scheduling issues. — VDV, GMA News