By CESAR JOLITO III

The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) is set to begin the distribution of fuel subsidies to tricycle drivers across the Negros Island Region (NIR) on April 8, benefiting tens of thousands of transport workers affected by rising fuel costs.

DSWD-NIR Regional Director Arwin Razo said that approximately 48,000 tricycle drivers from various transport organizations, including tricycle operators and drivers associations, will receive financial assistance under the government’s Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situations program.

The beneficiaries are spread across 22 local government units (LGUs), covering 19 cities in Negros Occidental and Negros Oriental.

Among the areas included are the municipalities of E.B. Magalona, Pulupandan and Murcia in the third district of Negros Occidental.

A total of P24 million has been allocated for the subsidy program, with each qualified driver set to receive P5,000.

Razo said the list of beneficiaries was consolidated and submitted by the respective LGUs, based on records from their Business Permits and Licensing Offices.

The fuel subsidy aims to provide immediate financial relief to tricycle drivers grappling with increasing operational costs, ensuring continued public transport services across the region./CJ, WDJ