Motorcycle taxi rider dies while in line for cash aid at Quezon Memorial Circle

A motorcycle taxi rider died while in line to get cash relief assistance at Quezon Memorial Circle on Saturday.

Department of Social Welfare and Development Secretary Rex Gatchalian immediately ordered DSWD personnel to contact the family, DSWD spokesperson Assistant Secretary Irene Dumlao said, according to a report by Sam Nielsen on Super Radyo dzBB on Sunday.

"We’ve heard of the unfortunate at nakakalungkot na (and saddening) incident yesterday and Sec Rex immediately instructed a team to reach out to the family," Dumlao told reporters.

"Nakausap na namin ang anak at tutulungan namin sila magkaroon ng maayos na pagpapalibing sa tatay nila. All other assistance will be extended," she added.

(We were able to talk to the child and we gave assurance that the DSWD would help them be able to give their father a decent burial.)

Gatchalian also ordered that the family of the motorcycle taxi rider be fetched from the province and brought to Metro Manila.

He then met the family personally at the hospital on Sunday morning and assured them of the DSWD's help.

The DSWD extended assistance for the hospital expenses, funeral and burial arrangements, transportation for family members, and the continuing education of the rider's daughter.

Motorcycle taxi and delivery riders lined up at Quezon Memorial Circle on Saturday for the special payout of the DSWD of their P5,000 cash relief assistance given by the government amid the rising cost of fuel due to the US-Israel war against Iran.

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.

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. —with reports from Bea Pinlac and Mav Gonzales/KG, GMA News