Over 23,000 receive fuel subsidy in Manila; special payout eyed for unclaimed aid, unlisted PUV drivers
A total of 23,630 beneficiaries belonging to various transport groups and sectors in Manila have received the P5,000 fuel subsidy courtesy of the national government as aid amid the skyrocketing of fuel prices caused by the Middle East war, Manila Mayor Francisco "Isko Moreno" Domagoso said on Monday, March 30.
Citing reports from the Manila Department of Social Welfare and Development (MDSW), Domagoso said 6,648 individuals have yet to receive their subsidy from the 30,278 total number of target beneficiaries.
The mayor explained the city had first distributed fuel subsidies to tricycle drivers last March 17, followed by 2,629 transport network vehicle service drivers (TNVS) on March 24, 2,488 jeepney drivers on March 25, and 3,989 motorcycle taxi drivers on March 28.
"Sa kabuuang pondo, P151,390,000 ang inilaan ng Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), habang P118,150,000 na ang aktuwal na naipamahagi sa mga kwalipikadong benepisyaryo (Of the total funds, P151,390,000 was allocated by the Department of Social Welfare and Development, while P118,150,000 has already been actually distributed to qualified beneficiaries)," he explained.
MDSW Director Jay Dela Fuente said the DSWD is eyeing a special payout for those who have initially failed to receive the cash assistance.
"We will be doing a special payout session in Metro Manila after the Holy Week. It will include the unclaimed because they're unclaimed. Nasa list sila pero hindi nila nakuha. Isasabay na rin namin yung supplemental list, meaning ito yung mga additional na wala sila sa listahan (They are on the list but were unable to claim the assistance. We will also include the supplemental list, meaning the additional ones who were not in the list) for whatever reason, so we're asking different sources to bring them to us," DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian said during a press conference at the DSWD Central Office.