Another round of fuel subsidy was distributed to 297 public transport drivers and operators in Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte on Friday to help them cope with rising oil prices.
The provincial government program gave PHP3,000 to each member of tricycle operators and drivers’ associations, aside from a reflectorized vest and a sack of rice.
“Alam ko na napakahirap ng trabaho po ninyo kaya sabihin niyo lang kung gusto niyo po ng dagdag para panghanap-buhay. Meron po tayong agri, livestock para makatulong po sa Inyo (I know your hard work so let me know if you need more for livelihood. We have [programs on] agriculture and livestock to help you out),” Governor Matthew Joseph Manotoc said during the distribution.
The provincial government also distributed fuel aid to trike drivers and operators in the towns of Badoc, Pinili, Burgos, Bangui and Pasuquin.
The distribution will resume next week until all the target beneficiaries receive their fuel aid from the provincial government.
“Thank you to the provincial government of Ilocos Norte for helping us in the transport sector. This means a lot to us,” Ramon Valenzuela, one of the beneficiaries in Pagudpud, said.
Joseph Gaspar, another beneficiary from Barangay Tanap, Burgos town, expressed gratitude for the timely distribution as the Christmas season approaches.
“This is a big help for my family in these trying times,” Gaspar said, as he shared that he was not able to work for a few days during the series of typhoons.
Aside from the continuing rollout of the fuel subsidy program, the provincial government is also completing the distribution of the PHP5,000 housing assistance from the national government to 2,072 individuals whose houses were destroyed during the onslaught of tropical cyclone Marce, mostly in the town of Pagudpud. (Leilanie Adriano)
(Source: Philippine News Agency)