DSWD-6 schedules special payout for excluded trike drivers

By Jennifer P. Rendon

The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Region 6 will conduct a special payout for tricycle drivers who were not included in the pilot distribution of PHP 5,000 in cash aid — though the agency has yet to set a schedule for the release.

The announcement came on the heels of complaints that some drivers failed to receive the cash relief.

Therese Fely Legaste, DSWD-6 regional information officer, said eligible drivers must present valid IDs, including their original driver’s license and a photocopy.

“They should coordinate with their tricycle operators and drivers association (TODA) and their local government unit. The LGU will submit the certified list to the DSWD,” she said.

Legaste clarified that drivers — not operators or driver-operators — are the ones qualified to receive the assistance.

If an operator was listed instead of the driver, that person will be disqualified from receiving the cash aid once verified.

She added, however, that the list of those included in the special payout must be verified and certified by the LGU.

Legaste explained that the certified list comes from the LGUs since they are the licensing authority.

“We at the DSWD are responsible for deduplicating the list. It’s also our role to release the cash aid,” she said.

In an earlier announcement, DSWD-6 said it would distribute cash relief to 8,450 tricycle drivers in Iloilo City (1,983 driver-beneficiaries), Passi City, Iloilo (2,600), and Roxas City, Capiz (3,867 drivers) on April 8.

A total of 8,021 driver-beneficiaries received the aid, amounting to PHP 40.105 million. The recipients include 1,873 (94.45%) in Iloilo City, 2,433 (93.58%) in Passi City, and 3,715 (96.07%) in Roxas City.

A special payout was held in Roxas City on April 9 for verified tricycle drivers who were unable to receive their cash aid for various reasons.

The cash relief falls under DSWD’s Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situations (AICS) program, a government initiative that provides immediate, temporary financial, emotional, and psychosocial support to individuals and families affected by crises. The program covers basic needs such as food, transportation, medical, educational, and burial assistance.