Ilocos region: The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) distributed cash relief assistance to tricycle drivers in 11 localities of the Ilocos Region on Tuesday.

According to Philippines News Agency, 3,555 tricycle drivers are targeted to receive PHP5,000 each. Of the total number, 1,729 are from Ilocos Norte, 137 from Ilocos Sur, and 1,689 from Pangasinan. The beneficiaries are from Bacarra, Vintar, Currimao, and Pinili in Ilocos Norte; Quirino and Suyo in Ilocos Sur; and Agno, Burgos, Basista, and Urbiztondo in Pangasinan.

Meanwhile, tricycle drivers in Galimuyod, Salcedo, and Santa Cruz in Ilocos Sur; Pugo in La Union; and Bolinao, Aguilar, and Labrador in Pangasinan are also set to receive cash relief assistance on Wednesday. DSWD regional information officer Kristine Sheila Amoroso, in a phone interview, said as of April 20, the agency disbursed more than PHP153 million for cash relief aid to 30,601 tricycle drivers in the region.

The cash relief assistance aims to ease the effects of soaring oil prices caused by the Middle East conflict. The distribution of cash relief aid to tricycle drivers outside of Metro Manila started April 8.