CITY OF SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga (PIA) — A total of 4,922 jeepney drivers in Pampanga received P5,000 financial assistance each under the Cash Relief Assistance program of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) in partnership with the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB).
The initiative aims to help public utility vehicle (PUV) drivers and their families cope with daily expenses amid the continued fuel price increase caused by Middle East tensions.
Officials said the program is part of the government’s continuing efforts to support the transportation sector and ease the economic burden on drivers who rely on daily passenger trips for their primary income.
During the payout activity, DSWD Regional Director Venus Rebuldela said the program was implemented through the directive of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to ensure that affected transport workers receive government assistance.
“Itong programang ito ay sa pamamagitan ng direktiba ng mahal na Pangulong Bongbong Marcos. Lahat ng affected PUV drivers, kasama yung TODA, JODA, MC Taxi, TNVS. Sa ating mga MC Taxi at TNVS, maghintay lamang po kayo ng schedule ninyo kasi ongoing na rin ang coordination namin sa DICT,” Rebuldela said.
She explained that the agency is also preparing special payout schedules for qualified beneficiaries who could not receive assistance during the regular distribution activities due to pending validation or other valid circumstances.
“Kaya laging sinasabi ng ating mahal na pangulo, walang maiiwan sa krisis. Laging nandito ang gobyerno sa pamamagitan ng DSWD at iba’t ibang ahensya na nakikipagtulungan para man lang mabigyan kayo ng panandaliang relief at maibigay ng ating opisina para sa krisis na ating hinaharap. Kami ay nandito lagi. Kung kasama kayo sa listahan, hindi po kayo maiiwan, mabibigay po ang inyong assistance,” she added.
Aside from the cash assistance, the provincial government of Pampanga also distributed food relief packs to beneficiaries during the payout activities to further help address their daily needs.
Many jeepney drivers welcomed the assistance, saying the additional support would help them manage rising fuel costs, household expenses, and their children’s school needs.
Among the recipients was 56-year-old jeepney driver Lucky Lumba, who expressed gratitude for the aid, saying it would greatly help his family amid the challenges of earning through daily driving.
“Sobrang hirap pero ngayon nagbigay sila ng 5000. Maraming maraming salamat sa ibinigay nila. Malaking tulong na iyon,” Lumba said.
He also thanked President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. for the initiatives aimed at helping jeepney drivers cope with the challenges brought by the continuous increase in fuel prices due to the tensions in the Middle East.
“Maraming maraming salamat po kay Pangulong BBM na ‘yung ibinigay po nilang P5000, malaking malaking tulong na po iyon sa amin, sa mga drayber. Salamat po!” he added.
The DSWD said it continues to coordinate with partner agencies and transport groups to ensure that all qualified beneficiaries, including TODA, JODA, MC Taxi, and TNVS drivers, receive the assistance intended for them under the Cash Relief Assistance program. (Mark Anthony G. Pangan)
