On top of that, the DOTr is also preparing to distribute the separate fuel subsidy.
Amid the rising fuel prices in the country amid the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, the government will be distributing financial assistance to the Public Utility Vehicle (PUV) drivers worth PHP5,000 in a bid to cushion the impact of the major oil price hikes.
During a joint media briefing on Monday, March 16, officials from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), Department of Transportation (DOTr), and the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) announced the first batch that will receive the aid.
According to them, 139,000 tricycle drivers in Metro Manila will receive the PHP5,000 cash relief assistance under the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS) program of the DSWD from Tuesday, March 17.
“Tomorrow magsisimula na tayo, as initially planned. We will be able to finish the [distribution of assistance to tricycle drivers by Thursday. Ang target based on local govemment units is around 139,000 na mga NCR-based tricycle drivers. We are going to operate in 30 identified sites across 17 LGUs,” said Secretary Rex Gatchalian.
The Social Welfare chief also reminded the tricycle drivers to proceed to their assigned payout sites on the day of their schedule to ensure smooth distribution, while also avoiding disrupting transportation services.
“Sa 30 sites na yan ay hindi sila sabay-sabay. Mayroong morning batch, may afternoon batch. Tomorrow, ang panawagan natin sa mga tricycle drivers natin wag po kayong pupunta sa payout sites kapag hindi niyo pa schedule,” Gatchalian noted.
He added that there will be help desks in each payout site for any concern, adding that it will be an easy process for the drivers. “Sa mga driver natin, simple lang ang dadalhin ninyo bukas, driver’s license, original pati isang photocopy. Yun lang, wala na pong iba pang dokumento,” the DSWD chief stated.
Gatchalian also assured other PUV groups, such as jeepney, taxi, bus, and transport network vehicle service (TNVS) drivers, that the cash aid distribution will be expanded once the lists of names are already available and validated.
“Tinatarget namin na yung mga jeep (drivers) sa [next Monday, magsimula na kami ng payout for the jeepney drivers in NCR. And then sunod-sunod na siguro yung mga iba pang sectors,” he pointed out.
For transport groups in other provinces and cities, the DSWD is already collating the list of drivers through its Regional Field Offices. “Tulad na lang ng nabanggit ko before, iba-iba naman ang regional offices namin. Nagko-collate na or we’re starting the process of collating the list para mag-payout na rin po yan,” stated the DSWD secretary.
“Aarangkada tayo bukas, tatlong araw para sa tricycle drivers sa Metro Manila. By Monday, sisimulan na natin ang jeepney drivers, at yung ibang sektor sunod-sunod na yun, simultaneous sa labas ng Metro Manila,” furthered the DSWD chief.
For his part, Transportation Chief Giovanni Lopez said, “Ang ginagawa namin ngayon sa DOTR, LTFRB, kailangan na namin ibigay yung listahan pagdating sa other transport groups. So, nakumpleto na namin yung TNVS, motorcycle taxis at kinukumpleto pa din namin yung ibang listahan namin and we’re coordinating closely pagdating sa delivery riders.”
He also explained that the cash relief assistance program of the DSWD is different from the fuel subsidy program of the Department of Transportation for drivers and operators affected by the oil price hike.
“Linawin ko lang po, dalawang programa po ito. Sa AICS po limang libo po iyan. Alalahanin natin na mayroon ding P2.5 billion fuel subsidy under DOTr,” said Lopez.
Furthermore, “Ano ba yung mga transport modalities under the LTFRB na kasama dito: buses – provincial, metro, P2P. Taxis – regular taxis natin, jeepney whether modern or traditional tapos school service.”
Meanwhile, here are the 30 payout sites as detailed by the DSWD.
- Caloocan City – Buena Park, Barangay 80; UE Subdivision Club House 964; Pacquiao Covered Court Sports Complex Bagumbong, Glorietta Park, Barangay 187 Tala
- Las Pinas City – Aguilar Sports Complex, Pilar Village
- Makati City – Makati City Quadrangle
- Malabon City – Malabon Sports Complex Oval, Brgy. Hulong Duhat
- Mandaluyong City – Mandaluyong College of Science and Technology Gymnasium
- City of Manila – Patricia Paraiso Sports Complex, 558 Flora St, Tondo, Barangay 377 Covered Court, Pampanga St., Sta. Cruz, Dakota Covered Court, Barangay 659 Ermita, ASAC Covered Court, Barangay 627, M. Araullo St, Sta Mesa
- Marikina City – Plenary Marikina Convention Center
- Muntinlupa City – Muntinlupa Sports Complex
- Navotas City – Navotas Convention Center
- Paranaque City – Palanyag Gym, Barangay San Dionisio: Don Bosco Gym, Barangay Don Bosco
- Pasay City – Cuneta Astrodome
- Pasig City – Pineda Multipurpose Hall, Barangay Pineda, Damayan Multipurpose Hall, Barangay Pinagbuhatan
- Pateros – Pateros Sports Complex, San Pedro
- Quezon City – Former District Action Office, Barangay Katipunan, SB Park Batasan Hills, Barangay Batasan Hills; 5K People’s Park Covered Court, Barangay Milegiosa, Risen Garden, Quezon City Hall, Diliman, Buenamar Park, Novaliches, Barangay Novaliches Proper, Sunville Covered Court, Barangay Culiat
- San Juan City – Makabagong San Juan Theater, National Government Agency
- Taguig City – Lakeshore Activity Center (LAC), Gate 3, C6 Road, Barangay Lower Bicutan
- Valenzuela City – Valenzuela City Amphitheater, ALERT Multipurpose Hall