Legazpi city: A total of 27,933 tricycle and public utility jeepney (PUJ) drivers, farmers, and fisherfolk in Albay are set to receive financial assistance from the provincial government to bolster their livelihoods and daily income, as announced by the Albay Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office (PSWDO) on Thursday.
According to Philippines News Agency, PSWDO chief Maria Vivien Cea detailed that the ongoing payouts for this month include beneficiaries from the province's three districts: 13,488 tricycle drivers, 1,555 PUJ drivers, 3,300 fisherfolk, and 9,590 farmers. "The assistance is being distributed through the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situations (AICS) program. Farmers and fisherfolk will receive PHP2,000 each, while PUJ drivers will get PHP1,500 and tricycle drivers PHP1,100," Cea explained.
Cea emphasized that the program is funded by the provincial government as part of the PHP50 million assistance previously announced by Gov. Noel Rosal. The distribution is being executed per local government unit (LGU), with the PSWDO spearheading the payouts in collaboration with the Provincial Treasurer's Office.
"The beneficiaries were identified through the Local Social Welfare and Development Offices of each LGU. The farmers and fisherfolk were identified using the lists submitted by the Albay Provincial Agricultural Office. For the transportation sector, we sought assistance from the LGUs, particularly the mayors' offices," she added.
The distribution for the first district is anticipated to conclude within the week, with the second district commencing in Manito and Camalig next week, followed by the third district. "The entire distribution is targeted for completion within August," Cea noted. The financial aid serves as a one-time payout aimed at assisting beneficiaries in meeting their immediate food and basic needs.
Beneficiaries like Jesus Nolasco, a tricycle driver with four children, expressed gratitude, stating he intends to use the PHP1,100 assistance to purchase food for his family. "We are very thankful for the assistance given to us tricycle drivers. We are experiencing difficulties with our income, so we are very grateful to have received this assistance for our daily needs at home," Nolasco shared.
Similarly, Freddie Alcantara, a tricycle driver from Puro Legazpi, mentioned that the aid would help reduce his fuel expenses, allowing him to allocate more income toward food and household bills. "At least when we buy gasoline, we can use the amount we would have spent from our own pocket for food and other household expenses, including water and electricity. It is a big help to us," Alcantara remarked.
Gerardo Pari±as of Buraguis echoed similar sentiments, noting the assistance would significantly aid his family's food needs. "This is a big help to us tricycle drivers. When our income from driving a tricycle is not enough, we can add the assistance to our food budget," he said.
