DSWD-Mimaropa distributed P6.8M cash aid to delivery riders

INQUIRER FILES

CALAPAN CITY, ORIENTAL MINDORO, Philippines – The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Mimaropa has disbursed a total of P6.845 million in financial assistance to 1,369 service delivery riders across the region as of May 29, extending vital support to workers whose livelihoods have been strained by rising fuel costs.

Official data from the agency shows that the payout has already reached 90.48 percent of its target of 1,513 beneficiaries covering the provinces of Oriental Mindoro, Occidental Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon, and Palawan. Each qualified rider received P5,000 under the government’s emergency assistance program, designed to help offset the impact of soaring oil prices and enable them to sustain their daily operations.

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This initiative forms part of the national government’s response, carried out under the directive of President Marcos and the leadership of DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian, to aid sectors severely affected by the ongoing energy crisis.

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The relief measure was rolled out following the declaration of a state of national energy emergency, prompted by global supply disruptions and sharp increases in fuel costs caused by tensions in the Middle East and the fragile ceasefire between Iran and the United States.

Palawan recorded the highest number of beneficiaries with 635 riders receiving aid, followed by Oriental Mindoro with 366, Romblon with 145, Occidental Mindoro with 130, and Marinduque with 93. /cb