By CESAR JOLITO III

The distribution of fuel subsidies and cash assistance for qualified tricycle drivers in Bacolod City will start today until Friday, April 10, led by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) in coordination with the city government.

The subsidy is part of the DSWD’s Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situations program and will be released under the agency’s cash aid initiative.

A total of 9,617 tricycle drivers are set to benefit from the program, with each recipient receiving P5,000.

The total assistance amounts to approximately P48 million in subsidies for the sector.

Beneficiaries have begun receiving individual notifications regarding their assigned payout schedules and venues since yesterday.

Authorities reminded recipients to strictly follow their designated dates and locations to ensure an orderly distribution process.

Payout will be held at four designated venues: Bacolod City College and Bacolod City National High School in Barangay Taculing, as well as SM City Bacolod and Ayala Capitol Central Mall.

Drivers are required to present a valid driver’s license for verification, along with two photocopies bearing three specimen signatures.

Mayor Greg Gasataya said help desks will be available at all payout centers to assist beneficiaries throughout the three-day release.

He added that the payout will follow an alphabetical system, with different groups scheduled per day to prevent congestion and ensure that transport operations in the city remain uninterrupted.

Drivers who are not yet scheduled are advised not to proceed to payout venues and to wait for their assigned date before going to their designated site./CJ, WDJ