By Jose Cielito Reganit
MANILA – As instructed by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) will begin distributing PHP5,000 in cash assistance to approximately 139,000 tricycle drivers in the National Capital Region (NCR) on Tuesday.
In a press conference Monday, DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian said the simultaneous payout in 30 identified sites across 17 local government units of Metro Manila will start at 6 a.m.
He said the payout will be conducted in phases for three days, with the LGUs taking care of getting the basic information and scheduling of the tricycle drivers in their respective jurisdictions.
“Ayaw nating maaantala yung biyahe tomorrow, kaya mabilisan po ito (We don’t want to delay their trips, so this will be fast). They have already submitted their basic information, dinu-duplicate na namin, so tomorrow, payout na lang talaga (we are duplicating these, so tomorrow, it’s only the payout). They come in, we give them the PHP5,000, they go back to the line,” he said.
“Ang panawagan po namin sa mga tricycle drivers, huwag po kayong puputa sa payout sites kapag hindi niyo pa schedule kasi hindi a-appear ang pangalan niyo sa mga bibigyang tulong pinansyal bukas (We are calling on the drivers not to go to the payout sites if it’s not your schedule, because your names will not appear on the list of beneficiaries for tomorrow),” Gatchalian said.
For additional information on the scheduling of beneficiaries, the DSWD chief said tricycle drivers have to coordinate with their LGUs.
Gatchalian stressed that drivers only need to bring the original copy and one photocopy of their driver’s license.
“Yun lang po ang dokumento na kailangan niyong ipakita (That’s the only document you need to show),” he said.
Help desks will be available in all payout sites to assist the beneficiaries, he said.
“Ito ay alinsunod sa direktiba ng ating Pangulo na tulungan ang ating mga tsuper at siguraduhing mabilis ang proseso (This is in line with the directive of the President to help our drivers and ensure a speedy process),” Gatchalian added.
The payout sites include:
— Caloocan (Buena Park, Barangay 80, UE Subd. Club House 964; Pacquiao Covered Court, Sports Complex Bagumbong; Glorietta Park, Barangay 187 Tala)
— Las Piñas (Aguilar Sports Complex, Pilar Village)-
— Makati (Makati City Quadrangle)
— Malabon (ATIS Covered Court, Barangay Potrero)
— Mandaluyong (Mandaluyong College of Science and Technology Gymnasium)
— Manila (Patricia Paraiso Sports Complex, 658 Flora St., Tondo; Barangay 377 Covered Court, Pampanga St., Sta. Cruz; Dakota Covered Court, Barangay 659 Ermita; and ASAC Covered Court, BGY. 627, M. Araullo St., Sta. Mesa)
— Marikina (Plenary Marikina Convention Center)
— Muntinlupa (Muntinlupa Sports Complex)
— Navotas (Navotas Convention Center)
— Parañaque (Palanyag Gym, Barangay San Dionisio; Don Bosco Gym, Barangay Don Bosco)
— Pasay (Cuneta Astrodome)
— Pasig (Pineda Multipurpose Hall, Brgy Pineda; Damayan Multipurpose Hall, Brgy Pinagbuhatan)
— Pateros (Pateros Sports Complex, San Pedro)
— Quezon City (Former District Action Office, Barangay Katipunan; SB Park Batasan Hills, Batasan Hills; People’s Park Covered Court, Barangay Milagrosa; Risen Garden, Quezon City Hall, Diliman; Buenamar Park, Novaliches, Barangay Nova. Proper; and SB Park, Barangay Tandang Sora)
— San Juan (Makabagong San Juan Theater, National Government Agency)
– – Taguig (Lakeshore Activity Center (LAC), Gate 3, C6 Road, Barangay Lower Bicutan)
— Valenzuela (Valenzuela City Amphitheater; ALERT Multipurpose Hall)
After its rollout in Metro Manila, the DSWD said the program will be expanded nationwide.
Meanwhile, Gatchalian said the DSWD plans to start distributing financial assistance to jeepney drivers on March 23.
Financial assistance is also 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. (PNA)
