BY SHETORI ROBLES/DNSC Intern
THE DEPARTMENT OF Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) XI announced that the ₱5,000 cash relief assistance for jeepney drivers affected by the fuel price hike will be released by the end of Holy Week.
During the ON-Selebrasyon Talakayan: DSWD XI Anniversary Media Forum on Wednesday, Rhuelo Aradanas, DSWD XI regional director, said the rollout will begin in Davao Region and other parts of Mindanao after the completion of distribution in the National Capital Region (NCR).
Before receiving the subsidy, Aradanas said beneficiaries must be members of accredited transport associations and must have permits to operate.
The initiative focuses on the transport sector to alleviate the burden of rising fuel prices due to the Middle East conflict.
“Yung paghingi ng tulong sa DSWD ay hindi requirement yung referral. Kahit wala po kayong kakilala, pwede po kayong lumapit sa aming mga CIUs. Kailangan lamang i-submit yung tamang requirements; hindi kailangan may backer (Requesting assistance from the DSWD does not require a referral. Even if you don’t have any personal connections, you can approach our crisis intervention units (CIUs). You only need to submit the correct requirements; no need for a political sponsor or backer),” Aradanas said.
He reiterated the agency’s preparedness and commitment to extending its fair services to the citizens affected in any crisis.
“Nakahanda ang ating mga tao tumulong, sino man po kayo. Lahat ng nasa in crisis, pwede po kayong dumulog sa amin, at ang aming commitment po namin sa inyo ay tutulungan po namin kayo (Our people are ready to help, whoever you are. All those in crisis, you can come to us, and our commitment to you is that we will help you),” Aradanas added.
