Motorcycle taxi rider dies while waiting for fuel cash aid
A motorcycle taxi rider had died while waiting in line to receive cash assistance at the Quezon Memorial Circle on April 18.
The Department of Social Welfare and Development confirmed the case in a statement on their Facebook page, lamenting how they are deeply saddened by the incident.
"Ikinalulungkot at lubos na nakikiramay ang buong Kagawaran ng DSWD sa pamilya ng drayber na pumanaw nitong Sabado," their statement read.
According to them, after receiving a report from the Quezon City Response Team yesterday, DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian immediately directed the Field Office in the National Capital Region to coordinate with the hospital, the family, and the employer of the deceased driver.
"Nakipag-usap din mismo si Sec. Gatchalian sa pamilya sa ospital nitong umaga ng Linggo para ipaabot ang pakikiramay ng Kagawaran. Inalam din ng Kahilim ang iba pang pangangailangan ng naulilang pamilya para agaran silang matugunan ng DSWD team," the agency said.
"Sa kasalukukayan, naipaabot na ang tulong para sa gastusin sa ospital, pagsasaayos ng burol at libing, transportasyon ng mga kamag-anak. Nagbigay rin ang DSWD ng tulong para sa patuloy na pag-aaral ng anak ng drayber," they added.
Per ABS-CBN, the brother of the victim detailed that the cause of death was a heart attack.
The DSWD is currently handing out fuel cash assistance amounting to P5,000 to transport network company riders in government payout centers in Quezon City and Caloocan City.
This comes as the Philippines is bearing the brunt of rising fuel prices due to the ongoing Middle East war. The conflict began when Israel, in coordination with the US, launched airstrikes on Iran on Feb. 28, taking out Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. Retaliatory attacks have upended the region, as well as markets across the globe.