The Department of Transportation (DOTr) and the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) have rolled out livelihood programs for transport workers and returning overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in Iloilo province.
Transportation Secretary Arthur P. Tugade and Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III led the distribution of the aid as part of President Duterte's "package of love" for Ilonggos.
The DOTr has provided 25 electronic tricycles to the Provincial Government of Iloilo as an additional mode of transportation in the province to enable more people to travel and get to work.
Tugade said these e-trikes will also help ensure the health and safety of road users, including cyclists and riders, for their travel and livelihood.
"Ito ay isang handog ng pagmamahal ng Kagawaran ng Transportasyon sa siyudad ng Iloilo, nang sa ganoon makatulong kami sa kagustuhan ng mga taong maghanap-buhay at umangat ang kanilang buhay (This is a gift of love from the DOTr to Iloilo to help the people there earn a living and improve their lives)," Tugade said.
Meanwhile, Bello has turned over 75 units of "trisikad" with tools and 38 bicycles with free mobile phones and loads under DOLE's Bikecination Livelihood project.
The DOLE, through the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration’s (OWWA), also awarded checks to beneficiaries of its livelihood programs such as "Balik Pinas, Balik Hanapbuhay Program" and "Tabang OFW."
Aside from the assistance, the DOTr chief announced that the first cashless passenger buses will now operate in Iloilo on Iloilo-Caticlan, Roxas, and Kalibo area routes.
For their part, Iloilo Governer Arthur Defensor Jr. and Iloilo Cty Mayor Jerry Treñas thanked DOTr and DOLE for their assistance and programs to the province and the Ilonggos.