• GILBERT P. BAYORAN / THERESA MAE DULMAN
The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) conducted a simultaneous payout of fuel subsidy assistance to 4,648 tricycle drivers in three local government units belonging to the Negros Occidental 3rd district, on April 8.
Each tricycle driver received a P5,000 fuel subsidy, disclosed Third District Rep. Javier Miguel Benitez.
Among the beneficiaries, a total of 2,011 are tricycle drivers in Silay City, Talisay City – 1,142, and 1,495 in Victorias City. However, the date of the distribution of financial aid to tricycle drivers in municipalities of E.B. Magalona and Murcia, has yet to be announced by DSWD – Negros Island Region.
The fuel subsidy program is part of the government’s ongoing efforts to extend support to public utility drivers, particularly those in the informal sector such as tricycle operators, who remain among the most affected by fuel price fluctuations.
In a statement, Benitez also assured farmers and fisherfolk in his district that they will not be left behind, stressing that coordination to secure resources from the national government is underway.*
