The Department of Social Welfare and Development Field Office in the Negros Island Region (DSWD-NIR) has released PHP169.85 million in cash relief assistance to 33,970 tricycle drivers across 19 cities in the region.

The three-day payout, conducted from Wednesday to Friday last week, reached 97.13 percent of the target beneficiaries, DSWD-NIR Public Information Officer John Paul Ocat said Monday.

“The accomplishment rate was based on the 34,977 clean list of tricycle drivers who signed up for the cash assistance,” Ocat said.

While the agency originally targeted 45,000 drivers from NIR cities, several applicants failed to meet the criteria or submit the necessary requirements.

Ocat said those who missed the initial payout can still receive the assistance during a special activity, provided they qualify. The regional office has yet to finalize the date and funding allocation for this makeup session.

Meanwhile, DSWD-NIR is preparing for Phase 2 of the program, which will target tricycle drivers from various municipalities.

Local government units must submit their respective lists of drivers to the regional office before the scheduled release on April 16.

Ocat said a driver must belong to a registered association to qualify for the PHP5,000 subsidy. The aid aims to help beneficiaries cope with rising commodity prices fueled by the Middle East conflict. (PNA)