DSWD: Over 265,000 tricycle drivers in NCR, and 212,000 outside NCR received cash aid

More than 265,000 tricycle drivers in Metro Manila, and over 212,000 outside the National Capital Region have already received their cash relief assistance (CRA) amid rising fuel prices, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) said Saturday.

"Sa Metro Manila, 'yung na-served po natin nasa more than 265,000 (drivers)... Next week, meron tayong special payout para sa mga drivers na hindi nakapag-claim at hindi napasama sa listahan," DSWD spokesperson Assistant Secretary Irene Dumlao said in an interview on Super Radyo dzBB.

(In Metro Manila, we were able to serve more than 265,000 (drivers)... Next week, we will have a special payout for drivers who were not able to claim (their cash relief assistance) and were not included in the list.)

"'Yung mga tricycle drivers outside Metro Manila, 'yung mga major cities, ang na-served natin nitong nakaraang linggo ay nasa mahigit 212,000 na tricycle drivers," she added.

(For tricycle drivers outside Metro Manila, those in major cities, we served more than 212,000 tricycle drivers this past week.)

"At ngayong araw hanggang bukas, in some areas, magpapatuloy po 'yung kanilang distribution sa ibang tricycle drivers," Dumlao said.

(Today and tomorrow, in some areas, the distribution to other tricycle drivers will continue.)

The CRA amounting to P5,000 is from the DSWD's Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS) fund. It is meant to assist public utility vehicle drivers cope with the series of oil price hikes as a result of the US-Israel war against Iran.

Dumlao said special payout schedules have been set for Metro Manila drivers who were not able to receive their CRAs during the regular payout, as follows:

• tricycle drivers: April 14
• jeepney drivers: April 15
• TNVS drivers: April 16
• motorcycle taxi drivers and service delivery riders: April 17 to 19

As for those outside Metro Manila, Dumlao said the DSWD is waiting for the list of tricycle drivers in municipalities outside NCR to be submitted.

"Inuna lang kasi natin 'yung mga cities sapagkat sila 'yung unang nakapagpadala ng listahan and sa mga major cities natin nakita 'yung pinakamalaking bilang ng mga tricycle drivers," Dumlao said.

(We prioritized those in the cities because they were the first ones to submit their lists, and it is in major cities where we could see the biggest number of tricycle drivers.)

"Once we have the list, we will immediately start with the payout but definitely ngayong buwan ng Abril (this month of April)," she added.

More budget?

Asked if the DSWD would need supplemental budget for the CRAs, Dumlao said the budget is currently sufficient.

"Batay sa total na nagastos ng DSWD sa pamamahagi ng cash relief assistance within National Capital Region and outside NCR, nasa mahigit P13.2 billion na ang na-disburse natin (as of April 8)," she said.

(Based on the total expense of DSWD in the distribution of cash relief assistance within National Capital Region and outside NCR, we already disbursed more than P13.2 billion [as of April 8].)

"And P30 billion of the more than P60 billion ang na-earmark natin eh para sa cash relief assistance. Sapat pa naman itong pondo natin para mabigyan 'yung ibang drivers in municipalities outside Metro Manila, and even if we do another tranche, sapat pa yung P30 billion," Dumlao added.

(And P30 billion of the more than P60 billion was earmarked for cash relief assistance. This is enough to give drivers in municipalities outside Metro Manila cash assistance, and even if we do another tranche, the P30 billion is still enough.)

DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian said last March that the department has set aside P30 billion for financial assistance to Filipinos affected by rising fuel prices, including tricycle and jeepney drivers.

“Ang entrada sa loob ng libro ng general appropriations, P60 billion ‘to. At ang instruction sa amin ng ating Pangulo is P30 billion ilaan mo kaagad kasi hindi natin alam kung kailan ‘to matatapos,” Gatchalian told GMA Network’s Unang Hirit in an interview.

(The entry in the general appropriations book is P60 billion, and the instruction to us by our President is to allocate P30 billion because we don’t know when the crisis will end.)

Should the situation in the Middle East continue, however, the DSWD will assess if additional budget is needed, Dumlao said.

"But kung halimbawa magpapatuloy pa ang sitwasyon natin, kinakailangang tingnan natin kung dapat bang magkaroon pa ng supplemental budget ang DSWD," she said.

(But if for example the situation continues, we need to study if the DSWD would need a supplemental budget.)

Dumlao reminded PUV drivers to bring their original driver's license and a photocopy of it to the payout venues.

Should there be a discrepancy in the spelling of a name or any other data, or should their names not be on the list, drivers may approach the help desk at the payout venues.

"Titiyakin talaga ng DSWD na lahat ng mga drivers ay maaabot at mabibigyan natin ng tulong kasi 'yun 'yung sinabi ng ating Pangulong Marcos Jr sa DSWD," Dumlao said.

(The DSWD will make sure that all drivers will be reached and will be given assistance because that is what President Marcos Jr. told DSWD.) —KG, GMA News