A total of 139,000 tricycle drivers in the National Capital Region (NCR) will receive a ₱5,000 cash subsidy to help cushion the impact of rising fuel prices, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) announced Thursday.
Social Welfare Secretary Rex Gatchalian said the distribution will begin on March 17 at 39 payout centers and will be conducted in batches to avoid disrupting daily trips.
“To be very exact, next Tuesday (March 17) magsisimula na tayo para sa mga tricycle driver natin sa Metro Manila tas unti-unti na ‘yun, sunod-sunod na,” Gatchalian said in a radio interview.
He added that other transport drivers—including jeepney, bus, and TNVS operators—will also receive the same assistance once the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) finalizes its validated list.
“Lahat ‘yan limang libo. Pero hindi ibig sabihin na hanggang doon lang tayo, ang naging usapan sa pagpupulong, kapag ka tumagal pa ‘to, nakita natin na humaba itong krisis sa Gitnang Silangan, may option pa tayo to do another round,” Gatchalian noted.
The subsidy program is part of the government’s broader effort to support transport workers amid global oil price volatility linked to tensions in the Middle East.