Jauhn Etienne Villaruel

Article (news)

Bea Cuadra

ABS-CBN News

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px;display:block" width="960"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1773797975784IMG_7028.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian noted that the agency is currently on track to meet its distribution deadlines. Bea Cuadra, ABS-CBN News</span></span></span></div><div><br/></div><p>MANILA — The distribution of P5,000 financial aid to tricycle drivers struggling with rising fuel costs continues Wednesday, with Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Rex Gatchalian personally overseeing the program in Risen Garden in Quezon City.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/3/17/manila-tricycle-drivers-share-struggles-amid-high-fuel-prices-1637">Manila tricycle drivers share struggles amid high fuel prices; federation eyes new fare hike petition</a></div><p>The initiative, part of a targeted DSWD program, aims to cushion the impact of fluctuating petroleum prices for nearly 139,000 tricycle drivers across the National Capital Region.</p><p>Gatchalian noted that the agency is currently on track to meet its distribution deadlines.</p><p>&quot;Yesterday ang na total payout natin for the day 41,530 so almost half of our target. We’re on schedule, alam natin na by tomorrow mabibigay na yung tulong pinansyal sa target natin na mga 139,000 toda drivers,&quot; Gatchalian said.</p><p>He highlighted Quezon City as a primary area of concern due to its dense population of transport workers.</p><p>While he expressed confidence in the local government’s ability to handle the logistics, he emphasized the need for active monitoring and oversight.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/3/17/cash-handouts-fare-hikes-as-philippines-battles-soaring-fuel-costs-1224">Cash handouts, fare hikes as Philippines battles soaring fuel costs</a></div><p>The agency expects to reach approximately 23,000 drivers in Quezon City today, contributing to a total regional catchment of around 30,000 for Wednesday alone.</p><p>Regarding those who missed their initial schedules or found their names missing from the master list, the secretary assured them that the DSWD is working with local government units (LGUs) to ensure no one is left behind.</p><p>He encouraged those absent to head to payout sites Thursday, noting that the agency is already processing names that encountered an issue to ensure they are included in the final tallies.</p><p>Samuel Villegas, a tricycle driver from Quezon City, shared that the funds would go immediately toward basic utilities.</p><div><br/></div><div><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?height=314&amp;href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Freel%2F1916193655685168%2F&amp;show_text=false&amp;width=560&amp;t=0" width="560" height="314" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" scrolling="no" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span>&quot;May pang bayad na ako ng ilaw tsaka tubig… Malaking tulong na to kasi bayaran na eh,&quot; Villegas said. </div><p>He noted the difficulty of making ends meet as gas prices climb.</p><p>&quot;Sana may sumunod pa. Mahal na ng gasolina ngayon eh… Parang yung isang litro, P300 na lang kinikita.&quot;</p><p>When asked about the possibility of a second round of subsidies, Gatchalian stated that the administration is keeping a close eye on global tensions, particularly in the Middle East, which directly affect local gas prices.</p><p>He emphasized that the government &quot;will continue to monitor the events in the Middle East at yung presyo ng krudo ng petrolyo&quot; to ensure that assistance remains available if the situation warrants it.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>RELATED VIDEOS</strong></div><div><br/></div><div><strong><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/hrC6b8futHU?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/xvo53XDHziA?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span></strong><br/></div>

<p>DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian noted that the agency is currently on track to meet its distribution deadlines.</p>

DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian noted that the agency is currently on track to meet its distribution deadlines.

More Metro Manila tricycle drivers receive cash aid as DSWD nears payout goals

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More Metro Manila tricycle drivers receive cash aid as DSWD nears payout goals

Bea Cuadra,

ABS-CBN News

Published March 18, 2026 09:43 AM PHT

Read More:

DSWD

Payout

Tricycle drivers

Quezon City

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