The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) reported that more than 98,000 tricycle drivers across Metro Manila have received ₱5,000 in financial assistance to help ease the burden of rising fuel prices.
According to Crisis Intervention Program (CIP) Director Edwin Morata, 98,007 beneficiaries—or about 81 percent of the 122,050 drivers listed under the agency’s “clean list”—have already been paid following a four-day payout.
“As we end our four-day payout po, almost 81% po or 98,007 beneficiaries po ang nabayaran natin out of the 122,050 clean list po natin,” Morata said.
He added that while the initial rollout proceeded smoothly, the DSWD recorded 18,344 variances across the 17 Metro Manila local government units (LGUs), referring to drivers who were unable to claim their assistance.
In Muntinlupa City, local officials said payouts will continue next week, with around 6,000 drivers still expected to receive aid.
Morata assured that all unpaid beneficiaries included in the clean list will be scheduled for another payout, along with additional drivers endorsed by LGUs and their respective Tricycle Operators and Drivers Associations (TODAs).
“Maaring nasa isinumiteng listahan sila na pinadala sa DSWD pero nung ni-review at dumaan sa ‘crossmatching process’ ay hindi kumpleto ang kanilang impormasyon kaya hindi sila nakasama sa ‘clean list’ na maari ng mabigyan ng cash relief assistance, o maaari naman ding diretso sila nagpunta sa payout area pero talagang wala sila sa listahan ng DSWD,” he explained.
He also noted that the agency has coordinated with local governments to hold special payout days to accommodate those who missed the initial distribution.
“Ang kagandahan naman po nito nakausap na natin ang mga lokal na pamahalaan na tayo ay magbibigay ng special payout [day]. Ang sabi po ni (DSWD) Secretary Rex Gatchalian dapat immediate ito,” Morata added, referring to Rex Gatchalian.