WHILE a total of 437 tricycle drivers are expected to receive P5,000 cash relief assistance from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) on Wednesday, several tricycle drivers went home frustrated after not being included in the list.
The DSWD XI rolled out the aid to qualified tricycle drivers in Davao City, guided by the masterlist from the city government, on Wednesday, April 8.
Jun Solon, a tricycle driver from Tigatto, expressed disappointment as he waited in line in the hopes of receiving the cash assistance, but was not able to secure it.
The drivers were not allowed to process their assistance if they did not receive a text message of confirmation and if their names were not on the masterlist given by the City Transport and Traffic Management Office (CTTMO) to the DSWD XI.
Solon claimed to have submitted his requirements to the CTTMO on March 31, 2026, for the last call.
“Wala ko matext-an, wala pud akong pangalan sa masterlist, pero nagpasa mi adtong March 31 last panawagan nila, naay franchise, nganong moanhi ka diri ka-ulaw ulaw ra pud, unya gi-require sa amoa, franchise,” he stressed.
Philip Bala Rivera, a tricycle driver from Daliao Toril, expressed dismay as he had received a text, but his name did not reflect on the masterlist.
Rivera said they were advised to approach the CTTMO for verification of their names, as the DSWD will only cater to those who are in the masterlist.
Gina Molon, acting head of the CSWDO social welfare division, said the text message the tricycle drivers receive comes from the CSWDO.
“Individual gyud among gi-text ani pero sa among page naghatag mig pahibalo, specific pud ang instruction nga para sa kwalipikado nga gikan sa CTTMO,” Molon said, noting there were drivers who took a chance even if they were not in the list.
Molon said several drivers received “forwarded” messages, but not from the legitimate CSWDO sender.
DSWD XI regional director Rhuelo Aradanas clarified in an interview that only those on the masterlist were prioritized on Wednesday’s payout.
“Ang masterlist mao nay napasa sa local government unit of Davao, mao nay bayaran,” Aradanas said, noting this is just the initial payout and hinted at a possible second batch or second tranche.
“Ayaw kabalaka kadtong bag-o lang nagpalista, nga dili maapil karon, adto lang sa LGU, i-comply lang unsay request, kay dili lang ni mao, roll-out pa lang ni,” he stressed.
DSWD reported as of 1 p.m., a total of 370 drivers have already received their P5,000 assistance.
“Sa kataas sa gasolina, naapektuhan gyud among panginabuhian. Akoang dugang konsumo ug pang gasolina akoang nadawat karon,” Roel B. Amantiad, a tricycle driver from Bangkal, thanked DSWD for the cash assistance.
Edgardo Gonzaga, a tricycle driver from Nova Tierra, said that while he’s grateful for the cash, the amount is just enough for five days, considering the operational cost of his tricycle. Instead, he called for an increase in the minimum fare for the tricycle.
Gonzaga reported a slow turnout from P500 daily take-home to only P180, from 6 a.m to 6 p.m. trip.
“Patas-an jud ang pamasahe para mapatas pud sa mga drivers nga mo-income og balik pud bisan ginagmay na lang, kay kung magpabilin mig P10, ang gasolina motaas, asa nami mokuha og pagkaon,” he said.
