• CHERYL G. CRUZ
Qualified jeepney drivers in Negros, including more than 2,100 in the highly-urbanized Bacolod City, will start receiving fuel subsidy of P5,000 each today, May 14, from the Department of Social Welfare and Development.
In Bacolod, the distribution of the cash relief assistance (CRA) will be for three days, or until May 16, all at SM Bacolod North Block, considering the big number of driver-beneficiaries in the city.
For today’s payout, some 705 drivers are expected to be accommodated, 704 tomorrow, and 702 on Saturday, per data from the city government.
Venues for today’s payout of cash aid to jeepney drivers in the towns and cities of Negros are mostly in their respective municipal or city social welfare and development office, based on the DSWD-Negros Island Region advisory May 13.
Mayor Greg Gasataya said the list of beneficiaries came from the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board, and validated by the DSWD since the allocation is under its Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situations (AICS) program.
He reminded drivers to bring with them their valid driver’s license and a government-issued ID with Bacolod address in claiming their assistance.
The CRA aims to help drivers cope with increases in the prices of petroleum products, mainly due to lingering tensions in the Middle East. | CGC
