By Dhel Nazario
Makati City announced on Thursday it will release the second tranche of financial assistance for 8,376 tricycle, jeepney and pedicab drivers in the city using electronic money transfers to avoid physical contact and ensure fast delivery of benefits.
Mayor Abigail Binay said the financial aid of P2,000 for the city’s transport sector will be released through the Makatizen Card and GCash. Makati is the first local government to adopt contactless methods in disbursing aid to sectors displaced by the enhanced community quarantine.
The city government said that drivers who are already Makatizen cardholders, the financial assistance will be credited to their e-Wallets. Those who are not Makatizen cardholders can receive their cash grant through GCash.
The city had earlier asked drivers without Makatizen Cards to fill out application forms. The city would then create a GCash account for them using their mobile numbers.
Binay said 1,826 registered Makati JODA members, 5,952 tricycle drivers, and 598 pedicab drivers will benefit from the financial assistance.
The mayor said beneficiaries may cash out or withdraw the financial assistance through GCash Cash In/Cash Out agents by presenting a government-issued ID and a text message confirming the remittance of the cash assistance to their Makatizen card or GCash e-Wallet.
“You can also use the amount credited to your Makatizen card or GCash e-Wallet to buy food and other products, pay bills, or send money to relatives in the provinces through the GCash app,” she explained.
Binay earlier ordered the distribution of around P16.7 million in financial assistance to tricycle, jeepney and pedicab drivers living in Makati. The mayor said the initial amount of P2,000 for each recipient is meant to help the drivers and their families get through the first two weeks of the enhanced community quarantine period.