Manila: President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Tuesday led the distribution of PHP5,000 in cash assistance to each tricycle driver beneficiary in Metro Manila, as the government rolled out its fuel subsidy program aimed at easing the impact of rising oil prices. Marcos oversaw the distribution of the financial aid at ASAC Covered Court in Sta. Mesa to support public utility vehicle (PUV) drivers affected by the continued increase in the prices of petroleum products amid the Middle East crisis. According to Philippines News Agency, Marcos stated that approximately 30,000 tricycle drivers received the fuel subsidies during the initial aid rollout. He emphasized the necessity of the distribution due to the sudden increase in oil prices. Marcos highlighted the ongoing rise in petroleum product prices and expressed the need to provide this assistance to help the people. Marcos outlined that the assistance would initially cover tricycle drivers, with plans to extend the aid to jeepney drivers and transport network vehicle services (TNVS) drivers. He mentioned that records for TNVS drivers are still incomplete, but jeepney drivers are expected to receive aid late this week or early next week. The first payouts will cover around 135,196 tricycle drivers, as per data from the Office of the Executive Secretary. The cash subsidies were sourced from the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation Program of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD). The DSWD collaborated with the Department of Transportation and local government units to identify beneficiaries. The cash aid will be released at designated payouts in Metro Manila to expedite the process and allow drivers to return to work after receiving the subsidy. The DSWD previously announced that the distribution of aid would occur over three days to ensure the uninterrupted operations of tricycle drivers.