CABANATUAN CITY — Social Welfare and Development Secretary Rex Gatchalian on April 9 led the jumpstart of the payout of P5,000 cash relief assistance to each of some 17,000 tricycle drivers in this city.
Gatchalian said the payout was simultaneously happening in various places all over the country with some 367,000 tricycle drivers as beneficiaries.
The official lauded the city government and the Nueva Ecija 3rd Congressional District Office, being partners on the ground, for providing a huge air-conditioned payout center.
“Dito sa Cabanatuan, nakita niyo, ako mismo nagulat eh. It’s probably the best payout center I’ve seen. Maluwag, malamig, maaliwalas, walang pila, mabilis,” Gatchalian enthused.
NE 3rd Disteict Rep. Julius Cesar Vergara said they simply wanted a dignified environment for drivers. “Dapat may dignidad.”
OFWs helped
Meanwhile, when 36-year-old Beverly Manansala of Barangay MS Garcia here, flew to Kuwait on Feb. 17, 2026 hers was a hope for a better future for her three children.
Her salary as a domestic help would surely help them meet family needs with her husband driving a passenger tricycle in this city, she said.
In Kuwait, everything was well for Manansala with her two wards, a six-month-old and a 1 and 1/2 year-old, until the bombings started.
“Hindi po kami makatulog, ninenerbiyos,” she said. “Hindi rin po kami maka-trabahong maayos. May time po na naglilinis kami ng CR (comfort room) mawawalan ng kuryente.”
“Kahit nakauwi na kami, pag nakarinig kami ng kalabog, akala namin ay may pagsabog na naman,” she added.
Manansala, who was repatriated last March 20, was one of two overseas Filipino Workers repatriated due to Middle East conflict that received Kabuhayan package and P20,000 cash assistance each from Gatchalian.
The other is Maria Luisa Musni, 37, also of Barangay DS Garcia, who went to Saudi Arabia on Feb. 13, 2026 and flew back March 15. Aside from the Middle East conflict, Musni said she experienced allegedly inhumane working conditions abroad.
