By CESAR JOLITO III

The Bacolod City government, in coordination with the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), has distributed fuel subsidies to an additional 3,409 tricycle drivers, expanding the number of beneficiaries under the national assistance program.

The payout, conducted over two days from April 24 to 25, followed a review of appeals filed by drivers who were not included in the initial distribution.

City officials said all applicants who formally submitted their documents were accommodated.

According to the Department of Social Services and Development, the city government endorsed the appeals to the DSWD for validation and inclusion in the final list of beneficiaries.

The DSWD oversees document verification, funding allocation and the release of assistance, in coordination with the Public Employment Service Office.

The latest batch adds to the 9,617 tricycle drivers who received subsidies during the initial payout, bringing the total number of beneficiaries to 13,026 across the city./CJ, WDJ