DSWD: Cash assistance payout for tricycle drivers starts in Metro Manila

The distribution of cash assistance to tricycle drivers began Tuesday in Metro Manila to help transport workers cope with rising fuel prices amid Middle East tensions.

Department of Social Welfare and Development Secretary Rex Gatchalian said the payout is under the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situations (AICS) program.

This will initially cover around 139,000 tricycle drivers in Metro Manila and each beneficiary will receive P5,000 in financial assistance.

The first payout was hosted by the local government of San Juan City. 

Mayor Francis Zamora said the assistance reached the city shortly after discussions between local officials and national government agencies.

“Alam ninyo, noong nakaraang linggo lamang kami nakipagpulong sa ating mga Cabinet secretaries at ito po, in just a few days, nandito na po ang tulong para sa ating mga tricycle drivers,” Zamora told GMA Network’s Unang Hirit in an interview.

(Just last week we met with our Cabinet secretaries and now, in just a few days, the help for our tricycle drivers is here.)

Zamora said the distribution in San Juan was expected to be completed in just a few hours.

Gatchalian said the government plans to complete the payout for tricycle drivers in Metro Manila within the week.

By next week, the program will expand to other transport sectors such as jeepney drivers, transport network vehicle service (TNVS) drivers, and delivery service drivers in the region.

“Sa nalalabing dalawang linggo bago mag-Holy Week, tapos na lahat ng sektor na natira. 'Yung mga jeep, 'yung mga TNVS tulad ng sabi ko, pati mga service delivery,” he said.

(In the remaining two weeks before Holy Week, all the remaining sectors are finished. The jeepneys, the TNVS like I said, even the service deliveries.)

“Then after Holy Week, ang direksyon ng ating Pangulo, sa labas naman tayo ng Metro Manila. Mag-ooperate sa mga siyudad, sa mga areas na may mga tricycle drivers at mga iba pang public utility vehicles,” he added.

(Then after Holy Week, the direction of our President is that we will expand outside Metro Manila. We will operate in the cities, in areas with tricycle drivers and other public utility vehicles.) —AOL, GMA Integrated News