BALER, Aurora (PIA) — Cash assistance from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) is providing relief to thousands of tricycle drivers in Aurora as they cope with rising fuel costs amid ongoing geopolitical tensions in the Middle East.
Rolando Cabanilla, an 81-year-old driver from Barangay Gupa in Dinalungan town, is among the beneficiaries of the Cash Relief Assistance (CRA) program.
Cabanilla said the aid offers immediate relief, allowing him to purchase food and other basic necessities in the coming days.
He shared that life as a driver is already difficult, especially at his age, and is made even more challenging by the continued increase in fuel prices, which reduces his daily earnings.
“I would like to thank our President for the assistance given to us who are struggling,” he said.
Data from DSWD Region 3 show that around 2,093 tricycle operators and drivers’ association or TODA members across Aurora are set to receive P5,000 each under the program.
Of the total, 967 beneficiaries are from Baler, 369 from Maria Aurora, 358 from Dingalan, 202 from San Luis, 134 from Dipaculao, 52 from Casiguran, and 11 from Dinalungan.
Implemented under the directive of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., the CRA was rolled out simultaneously across all regions to help cushion the impact of rising fuel prices on vulnerable transport workers.
The program aims to provide immediate financial relief to drivers struggling with increasing operating costs while ensuring they can continue to support their families.
As the initiative continues, beneficiaries in Aurora remain hopeful that similar assistance programs will be sustained to help them cope with economic challenges. (CLJD/MAT, PIA Region 3-Aurora)
