139K Metro Manila trike drivers to get P5K cash aid — DSWD

At least 139,000 tricycle drivers in Metro Manila are set to receive ₱5,000 in cash assistance amid rising fuel prices, which have been driven higher by the escalating conflict in the Middle East, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) announced Monday.

Social Welfare Secretary Rex Gatchalian said the payout, funded through the DSWD’s Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS) program, will begin on Tuesday, March 17, at 6 a.m.

Distribution will take place at 30 designated sites across 17 local government units (LGUs) in the National Capital Region (NCR), he said.

The DSWD aims to complete the payouts within two to three days.

“Sa payout sites, hindi sila sabay-sabay. May morning at afternoon batch. Bukas, ang panawagan natin sa tricycle drivers, huwag pupunta sa payout sites kung hindi pa ito ang inyong schedule,” Gatchalian said in a media briefing.

(The payout will be scheduled in batches for morning and afternoon. We call on tricycle drivers not to go to the payout sites if it is not yet your schedule.)

“Hindi mag-aappear ang pangalan niyo sa listahan ng bibigyan ng tulong. Para sa karagdagang impormasyon sa inyong schedule, makipag-ugnayan po kayo sa inyong LGUs,” he added.

(Your name will not appear on the list. For more information on your schedule, please coordinate with your LGU.)

Drivers claiming the cash aid must bring a valid driver’s license and a photocopy. The names on the license must match the list of beneficiaries.

Last week, the DSWD announced it had set aside ₱30 billion for financial assistance to Filipinos affected by rising fuel prices, including tricycle and jeepney drivers.

The program is expected to expand nationwide after the initial rollout, covering areas with more tricycle drivers.

Gatchalian also said the DSWD plans to start disbursing financial assistance to jeepney drivers on Monday, March 23.

Aid is likewise being prepared for at least 34,000 Transportation Network Vehicle Service (TNVS) drivers, 33,000 motorcycle taxi drivers, and 40,000 delivery riders.

The DSWD emphasized that the cash aid program is separate from the fuel subsidy being distributed by the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB).

Libreng Sakay

During the same press briefing, the Department of Transportation (DoTr) announced it will reopen its service contracting program, or “Libreng Sakay,” for commuters in the second week of April.

“Hindi po ito pang-Metro Manila lang. Lahat ng highly-urbanized cities at lugar na may malaking bilang ng commuters ay makikinabang sa service contracting natin,” Transportation Secretary Giovanni Lopez said.

(This will not be exclusive to Metro Manila. It will also apply to highly urbanized cities and areas with large commuter populations.)

Lopez also said the LTFRB will announce the new jeepney fares on March 17.—MCG, GMA Integrated News