47,135 more tricycle drivers in W. Visayas to receive P5K cash aid

By Jennifer P. Rendon

The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) – Region 6 targets to give out the P5,000 cash aid to around 47,135 more tricycle drivers all over Western Visayas.

This is on top of the 8,039 tricycle drivers who received the financial assistance during the pilot distribution in Iloilo City, Roxas City (Capiz) and Passi City (Iloilo). The said number is 95.14 percent from the 8,450 target beneficiaries,

Therese Fely Legaste, DSWD-6 regional information officer, said different local government units (LGUs) have forwarded 46,603 beneficiaries that are still subject for deduplication process.

The payout started on April 16 to cover several towns in the region.

As of 2 p.m. of Thursday, there were already 7,629 tricycle drivers who received the P5,000 financial assistance.

Therese Fely Legaste, DSWD-6 regional information officer, said the agency has also scheduled the payouts on April 17, 18, and 20-27.

As earlier stated, the drivers, not operators, or driver-operators are the ones qualified to receive  the assistance.

In any case that the operator was the one listed instead of the driver, he will not be entitled to receive the cash aid once verified.

Legaste claimed the list of those included in the special payout should be verified and certified by the LGU.

Legaste explained that the certified list emanates from the LGUs since they are the licensing office.

It was gathered that the cash relief assistance is a DSWD program under the Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS).

The DSWD’s AICS Program is one of the government’s initiatives to provide immediate and temporary assistance to individuals and families who are affected by crises.

The AICS is deemed as a stop-gap measure that provides financial, emotional, and psychosocial support to families and individuals who have experienced acrisis or unexpected life event. It can help them meet their basic needs in the form of food, transportation, medical, educational and burial assistance.