Photo courtesy of Mary Judaline F. Partlow/PNA
The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) in the Negros Island Region released cash assistance to thousands of tricycle drivers across several cities.
The agency distributed a total of Php 169.85 million to 33,970 beneficiaries in 19 cities during a three-day payout held last week.
DSWD-NIR reported that the payout covered about 97 percent of the validated list of tricycle drivers who registered for the assistance.
Officials said the initial roster included 34,977 qualified applicants, but some were not able to meet requirements or complete documentation.
The program originally aimed to cover around 45,000 drivers, although not all applicants were cleared for release.
Those who missed the initial payout were advised that they may still receive assistance in a follow-up distribution once requirements are completed.
The agency said it is also preparing a second phase of the program that will extend assistance to drivers in various municipalities.
Each qualified beneficiary is set to receive Php 5,000 to help offset rising costs of basic goods and fuel driven by global oil price pressures.
