A TOTAL of 12,539 tricycle drivers across Davao Region received P5,000 in cash aid over a three-day period of distribution from April 8-10.
The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) XI disbursed a total of P62.9 million of cash relief under the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS).
Digos City had the highest number of drivers served over the three-day assistance program, with a total of 4,322 clients.
In Panabo City, a total of 3,314 received aid, where 938 were catered on April 8; 1,944 on April 9; 432 on April 10.
Tagum City, on the other hand, recorded 2,773 beneficiaries (998 on April 8; 1,775 on April 9), and Island Garden City of Samal (IGACOS) recorded 1,743 (967 on April 8; 776 on April 9).
Meanwhile, Davao City registered the lowest turnout of 387, served only on April 8.
“Layunin ng programa na agad maibsan ang pinansyal na pasanin ng mga driver na araw-araw umaasa sa pamamasada para sa kanilang kabuhayan (The program aims to ease the financial burden of drivers who only rely on their daily earnings to survive),” DSWD said in a statement.
The DSWD is set to distribute cash relief assistance to public utility vehicle drivers, aside from tricycle drivers.
DSWD XI regional director Rhuelo Dalilis Aradanas met with local government officials at City Hall of Davao on Friday, April 10, to address concerns on the qualifications and implementation of cash assistance for transport workers.
Aradanas reaffirmed that all legitimate public utility drivers—including tricycle, jeepney, bus, TNVS, delivery riders, and motorcycle taxi drivers—are eligible for assistance.
Aradanas said DSWD does not limit the number of beneficiaries, provided they are included in the verified lists submitted by local government units and the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB), and underwent validation and deduplication to ensure fairness and accountability.
