CABANATUAN CITY (PIA) — The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) began distributing Cash Relief Assistance (CRA) to tricycle drivers outside Metro Manila, targeting about 367,000 beneficiaries nationwide affected by rising fuel prices amid ongoing geopolitical tensions in the Middle East.
DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian said the initiative, implemented under the directive of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., was rolled out simultaneously across all regions, with each beneficiary receiving P5,000.
In Cabanatuan City—identified as one of the areas with the largest population of tricycle drivers and operators—Gatchalian visited the payout site, where around 17,000 beneficiaries are targeted to receive assistance in a couple of days.
Raymond Rayo, a tricycle driver and one of the beneficiaries of CRA in Cabanatuan City, said the aid was “a big help for the family, for buying food, rice, and other essentials.”
“Nagpapasalamat po kami kay Pangulong Bongbong Marcos at sa DSWD na nagbigay ng mga ayuda para sa mga tao (We are thankful to President Bongbong Marcos and the DSWD for providing assistance to the people),” he expressed.
Gatchalian explained that the assistance is sourced from the agency’s Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS) fund, where about P30 billion has been allocated for transport workers affected by rising fuel costs.
He pointed out that the government views transport workers as individuals in crisis, underscoring that the assistance is part of a broader social protection effort rather than a fuel subsidy program.
The Secretary also noted that the government is targeting to extend aid to all transport sectors outside Metro Manila—including jeepney drivers, transport network vehicle service drivers, motorcycle taxis, and delivery riders—on or before April 30, as part of a broader support program.
However, Gatchalian clarified that only registered and licensed drivers were included in the initial payout, while those with incomplete or expired documents may be considered in succeeding rounds upon compliance.
He further assured that funds remain sufficient, citing that previous Metro Manila operations reached about P1.3 billion.
As such, the DSWD chief shared that more rounds of assistance will follow, stressing that no driver or rider will be left behind under the government’s ongoing support initiatives.
Meanwhile, repatriated overseas Filipino workers also received support through the DSWD’s Sustainable Livelihood Program, with qualified beneficiaries granted P20,000 and an additional P10,000 in other financial assistance, for a total of up to P30,000 to help them restart their livelihoods.
Beverly Manansala, one of the beneficiaries of the program, said the aid will help her start a sari-sari store and a small eatery.
With this, she extended her gratitude to President Marcos Jr. and the DSWD for the support that allows her to rebuild her livelihood.
Furthermore, the DSWD thanked local government units and partners for ensuring orderly payouts, and urged beneficiaries to follow their assigned schedules to avoid delays. (CLJD/MAECR, PIA Region 3-Nueva Ecija)
