Baguio: Jeepney drivers in the summer capital who received cash relief assistance from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) expressed gratitude to the government for the grant, stating it would significantly ease their financial burden amid rising fuel prices.
According to Philippines News Agency, Ruel Lansangan, a jeepney driver on the Aurora Hill route for over two decades, plans to use the PHP5,000 cash assistance for his family's needs. Lansangan highlighted the aid's importance during high fuel costs, allowing him to bring home a modest income of PHP200 to PHP300.
Another beneficiary, 52-year-old Hubert Gaddang, who operates along the Asin Road route, praised the government's transparency in facilitating the aid distribution. Gaddang intends to spend the cash aid on essential items like rice, citing decreased income due to fewer passengers during the students' summer break.
Danilo Tadeo, 69, a driver for more than 40 years, also expressed appreciation for the cash aid, noting its potential to help purchase various necessities, including fuel. Tadeo hopes for another round of aid distribution in the future.
The three drivers commended the efficient distribution system, which they said took only about 30 minutes to an hour to complete. Upon arrival at the Baguio Convention Center, drivers could check the manual list organized per route, proceed to form distribution, and then queue for the payout.
Enrique Gascon, acting regional director of the DSWD-CAR, stated there are 6,670 beneficiaries in the region, with Baguio City having the highest number at 3,868. For the current payout, Gascon mentioned that they have implemented lessons from previous aid distributions, such as deploying more personnel for document verification and form distribution.
Gascon assured that there would be no ghost beneficiaries, as the payout requires personal appearance, prohibiting representatives from receiving on behalf of actual beneficiaries. Additionally, no recipient can receive the same assistance twice due to the DSWD's nationwide de-duplication process.
Gascon added that another schedule would soon be announced for those unable to attend the scheduled cash aid payouts from May 4 to 7 and those who have yet to complete their requirements for claiming the assistance. Taxi and transport network vehicle service drivers and delivery riders are next in line for cash assistance.
