TACLOBAN CITY — Thousands of delivery riders across Eastern Visayas received government cash assistance on Tuesday, May 27, to help ease the financial burden caused by rising fuel prices and increasing transportation costs.
The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Regional Office 8 distributed P5,000 in cash relief assistance to 2,855 delivery riders throughout the region as part of the government’s response to the continuing effects of high oil prices under the country’s ongoing energy emergency measures.
According to DSWD-8, the simultaneous payout activities were conducted in different provinces and cities in Eastern Visayas to ensure that beneficiaries directly received the financial support.
Among the recipients, 1,124 delivery riders received assistance in Tacloban City; 402 in Ormoc City, Leyte; 88 in Biliran; 202 in Southern Leyte; 536 in Samar; 346 in Eastern Samar; and 157 in Northern Samar.
The cash aid aims to provide immediate relief to delivery riders whose daily operations have been heavily affected by fuel price increases, reducing their income while increasing transportation and delivery expenses.
Delivery riders have become an essential part of the transport and service sector, particularly following the rise of online food delivery and courier services in recent years. Many riders rely on motorcycles for their livelihood, making them among the sectors most vulnerable to fuel price hikes.
DSWD-8 said the assistance program forms part of the national government’s continuing efforts to support vulnerable and low-income workers affected by economic challenges and fluctuating fuel prices.
The agency added that the initiative seeks to help beneficiaries sustain their daily needs and continue their operations amid ongoing economic pressures.
(LIZBETH ANN A. ABELLA)
