SANTA MARIA, BULACAN — It was a festive atmosphere inside the gymnasium of Fortunato F. Halili National Agricultural School in Barangay Guyong as 7,102 members of the Tricycle Operators and Drivers Association (TODA) lined up to receive P5,000 cash aid each from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).
The distribution, which ran smoothly from April 16 to 18, was hailed as a success by 6th District Bulacan Representative Salvador A. Pleyto.
The financial assistance was part of the government’s effort to cushion the impact of rising fuel prices on drivers and operators.
On the first day of the payout, 2,370 beneficiaries received their assistance. The second day saw another 2,370 recipients, with DSWD Region 3 Director Venus Rebuldera personally visiting to ensure the process was orderly.
The final day completed the tally with 2,362 more beneficiaries.
For those who were not included in the initial list, the DSWD assured that a special payout schedule may be arranged to accommodate them.
Director Rebuldera expressed gratitude to the local teams and volunteers who worked tirelessly to make the distribution successful.
The cash aid was part of the DSWD’s Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS) program, which has also recently extended help to residents of Angat, Norzagaray, and Santa Maria.
Just days before, on April 7, AICS beneficiaries in Santa Maria also received assistance, followed by distributions in Angat and Norzagaray on April 15.