The Department of Agriculture (DA) will soon implement its ₱20 per kilo rice program for jeepney and tricycle drivers to support them against the rising food costs that currently weigh on the transport workers of the nation.
Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. further noted that the program would kick off next month, with the initial distribution set on September 16 within five pilot areas, which include Navotas City, where they would roll out this initiative. The pilot itself is just expected to be an actual run or test for the system and identify possible hurdles before nationwide coverage.
The DA is having a good coordination partnership with the Department of Transportation (DOTr). The latter maintains the database of Tricycle Operators and Drivers’ Associations (TODA), which provides information on authentic identification and verification of beneficiaries.
Navotas City has about 4,000 accredited jeepney and tricycle drivers expected to benefit from the distribution’s initial rollout.
According to Laurel, the project is simply another demonstration of the government’s commitment to helping sectors most affected by inflation.
