Fuel aid reaches 5,992 NIR TNVS riders

By Glazyl M. Jopson

BACOLOD CITY — The Department of Social Welfare and Development-Negros Island Region has released PHP 29.96 million in Cash Relief Assistance to 5,992 transport network vehicle service and delivery drivers during a three-day payout from May 28 to 30.

Negros Occidental recorded the largest payout, with PHP 27,005,000 distributed to 5,401 recipients.

Negros Oriental followed with PHP 2.82 million for 564 beneficiaries, while Siquijor received PHP 135,000 for 27 beneficiaries.

Each qualified beneficiary received PHP 5,000 under the government’s relief program, which aims to help transport and delivery workers cope with rising fuel prices and higher operating costs.

The DSWD-NIR clarified that it was not involved in identifying and selecting beneficiaries.

The agency said the official list of recipients came from TNVS and service delivery companies and was submitted to the DSWD Central Office through the Department of Information and Communications Technology and the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board.

The payout, facilitated by DSWD-NIR personnel in coordination with local government units and partner agencies across various venues, was orderly, efficient, and transparent, the agency said.

The DSWD provides social protection programs and assistance to vulnerable sectors, while the LTFRB regulates public land transportation services, including TNVS operations.

Meanwhile, a special payout will be conducted for more than 500 TNVS and delivery riders who failed to claim their fuel subsidies during the scheduled distribution.

According to the DSWD-NIR, most of them were from Negros Occidental and had expired driver’s licenses or were outside the region during the payout.

Validation of their data is ongoing so they can be included in the special payout this week.