MANILA — About 20% of members of the Motorcycle Taxi Community Alliance (MTCA) have yet to receive the P5,000 financial assistance from the government, raising concerns over possible inclusion of non-qualified beneficiaries, the group said.

“Sa amin, siguro nasa 20% pa ang hindi nabibigyan (In our group, about 20% have not received),” said Romeo Maglunsod in an interview on Super Radyo dzBB.

“Dapat talaga i-scrutinize mabuti ang listahan ng mga benepisyaryo. Tingnan kung ang tao ay talagang bahagi ng industriya na dapat tulungan,” he added.
(The list of beneficiaries must be carefully scrutinized to ensure that recipients are truly part of the sector in need of assistance.)

On Saturday, motorcycle taxi riders in Metro Manila lined up early to claim the aid distributed by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD). Among them was a rider whose wife is seven months pregnant and who had been unable to work for nearly three months following an accident, yet still qualified for the subsidy.

Despite the gaps, Maglunsod expressed gratitude that many in their group received assistance.

“Nagpapasalamat kami kahit papaano. Nasama na ang hanay namin sa mabibigyan ng tulong mula sa gobyerno, at nagpapasalamat kami sa mga taxpayer,” he said.
(We are still thankful that our group was included among those receiving government assistance, and we are grateful to the taxpayers.)

He added that riders continue to push for fare increases amid rising fuel prices.

“Sana maramdaman na ang pagbawas ng excise tax sa presyo ng petrolyo. Ang hiling talaga namin ay fare increase,” he said.
(We hope to feel a reduction in excise taxes on petroleum prices. What we are really asking for is a fare increase.)

Industry sources have projected mixed trends for fuel prices in the coming week, with gasoline expected to either drop by P1 to P2 per liter or rise by up to P3 per liter, while diesel prices are anticipated to increase by P5 to P8 per liter.