Metro Manila, Philippines – The country’s transport sector has received a total of P3.2 billion in cash relief assistance as of April 15, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) reported.
In a press conference on Thursday, April 16, Crisis Intervention Program Director Edwin Morata said through the agency’s Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situations (AICS) program, P1.59 billion has been disbursed in the National Capital Region (NCR) and P1.61 billion in other regions.
A total of 319,678 individuals from NCR have received the cash relief, while 322,577 beneficiaries are from other regions nationwide.
A special payout for drivers of tricycles, public utility jeepneys (PUJs), motorcycle taxis, transport network vehicle services (TNVS), and delivery services in NCR is ongoing.
Tricycle drivers from municipalities outside NCR will also be receiving cash assistance starting today.
Morata assured that the agency has enough funds to fulfill the program’s requirements until April 30.
“We projected P30 billion for the entire cash assistance for this crisis,” Morata said.
“I think hindi naman kami mag-go for this kind of engagement pag hindi po ready ang P30 billion,” he added.
[Translation: I think we would not proceed with this kind of engagement if the P30 billion were not ready.]
He also noted that the agency is looking into the continuity of the program even after the crisis is resolved.
“What we’re looking at right now is the continuity of the AICS program in the regular setting,” he said, explaining that funds originally projected to last the entire year are already being used.
The special payout will end on Sunday, April 19. However, Morata said they will explore the possibility of another payout if a high number of errors, such as incorrect names and unclaimed cash assistance, are recorded.
He also emphasized that the program remains inclusive to all Filipinos regardless of economic standing.
“Ang programa ng AICS is open to everybody, as long as kayo po ay may current crisis state—nangangailangan po kayo ng augmentation from DSWD.”
[Translation: The AICS program is open to everybody, as long as you are currently in a crisis state and need augmentation from the DSWD.]
