Fuel Crisis Relief Hits North & Central Luzon; DSWD Region 3 Faces Backlash Over Media Ban

Fuel Crisis Relief & DSWD Media Ban Controversy

Lawmakers Secure 6 AM Window for Constituents

By: Celso M. Cajucom 

CABANATUAN City — The government’s aggressive response to skyrocketing petroleum prices is gaining massive momentum as thousands of tricycle drivers across Northern and Central Luzon begin receiving much-needed financial lifelines.

Leading the charge in Northern Luzon, Governor Jose Gambito  of Nueva Vizcaya has officially earmarked a substantial ₱18 million as initial aid specifically for the province’s struggling transport sector.

“Our tricycle drivers are among the most vulnerable to the continued volatility of fuel costs. They are the backbone of local mobility, and we are allocating these funds to ensure they and their families can cope with this economic pinch,” Governor Gambito stated during the launch.

The initiative doesn’t stop at fuel. Next month, the province is set to launch the “Bagas ti Umili” (Rice for the People) program, supported by a ₱17.2 million budget, ensuring food security follows financial relief for the people of Nueva Vizcaya.

The relief operations have swept through the heart of Central Luzon, focusing on massive cash assistance for Tricycle Operators and Drivers Association (TODA) members:

In Cabanatuan City, the “Tricycle Capital of the Philippines,” 3rd Congressional District  Rep. Julius Cesar “Jay” Vergara  led approximately 17,000 drivers receiving aid at the Cabanatuan Convention Center. Vergara personally invited DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian to lead the distribution of ₱5,000 assistance. Vergara emphasized that the transport sector drives the local economy and supports thousands of families during this crisis.

Palayan City Mayor Vianne Cuevas spearheaded a targeted 1,050-liter fuel allocation and initiated the Fuel Subsidy for PAJODA. Adhering to the “Palayan City First” principle, The mayor was took immediate, decisive action for the Palayan Jeepney Operators and Drivers Association (PAJODA), releasing Fuel Assistance Vouchers that have since gone viral.

In Jaen town, under the leadership of Mayor Atty. Sylvester Austria, at least 2,000 TODA members received ₱5,000 fuel subsidies, while other resident-beneficiaries received ₱5,000 each through the DSWD’s Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situations (AICS).

Gapan City Mayor Emary Joy Pascual confirmed that the “Batang Gapan’s” welfare programs, including social, health services, and ₱5,000 financial assistance for the transport sector, have already been successfully completed.

Payouts have also been documented in Science City of Muñoz, among other municipalities that rolled out on-site services for affected constituents.

 

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EDITOR’S NOTE: The Transparency Gap

Despite the successful distribution in other districts, a cloud of controversy hung over the San Jose City and Gapan City payout. Unlike the Cabanatuan City payoff- event—where DSWD Sec. Gatchalian personally championed transparency by allowing full media access—DSWD Region 3 Director Venus F. Rebuldela took a drastically different stance.

Local media representatives, already on-site to document the proceedings, were barred from entering the venue by a DSWD Region 3 officer, who reportedly called Director Rebuldela for permission before enforcing the restriction.

This media blockade was not an isolated incident, as similar restrictions were also reported in San Jose City, Gapan City, and other towns across the province.

In Gapan City, Aurelia Senayo, the local DSWD head, explicitly told Breaking News Online that journalists must send a formal request letter to Regional Director Rebuldela in Pampanga before being granted access inside the venue at the city Convention Center.

In a move described by many as ‘bureaucratic stalling’ or a ‘Red Tape Blitz,’ the Regional Office demanded a formal request letter addressed to their Pampanga office before granting entry—an impossible requirement for journalists already covering the event on the ground.

Insiders suggest this “lockout” was a deliberate attempt to shield the process from public scrutiny regarding potential “unfair treatment” of beneficiaries (local residents) and alleged discrepancies in aid amounts.

“We are here in Nueva Ecija to cover the event, yet they expect us to go to the Pampanga Region-3 office just to file a formal request letter. This shows a blatant lack of common sense and inhuman treatment of the press,” stated a representative from the national correspondent of different outlet  and local media group.

The Breaking News Online PH stands with the local press in demanding transparency. Public funds, especially those intended for crisis assistance like AICS, must be distributed under the watchful eye of the public to ensure integrity and fairness.

THE “2-hour window” for Lawmakers, amidst the strict “No Politician Rule” during the official payout hours, district lawmakers—Rep. Mario “Kokoy” Salvador (2nd District) and Rep. Emerson Pascual (4th District)—found a strategic way to connect with their constituents. Arriving as early as 6:00 AM, the lawmakers held a two-hour assembly before the 8:00 AM formal program.

This gave them a window to deliver inspirational messages, provide instruction on document preparation, and personally engage with TODA members before the DSWD took over the floor.

This dedication to being on-site at the crack of dawn highlights the irony of the situation: While local leaders were finding ways to be more accessible, the DSWD Regional Office was busy creating barriers for the press.

GOOGLE INSIGHT:

UNDERSTANDING THE AICS PROGRAM

The DSWD’s AICS program serves as a critical safety net. While fuel subsidies are a priority, the program generally provides cash assistance ranging from ₱1,000 to ₱10,000, determined by social workers’ assessments. Common payouts for medical, burial, or educational needs range from ₱2,000 to ₱5,000. For those who missed the initial rollout, a second batch inclusion is currently being prepared to ensure no driver is left behind.

The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has officially banned politicians from attending offsite payouts for aid programs like the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS), enforcing strict “no-epal” guidelines to prevent political influence, as stated by DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian. 

Google  : BUREAUCRATIC STALLING/RED TAPE BLITZ

BUREAUCRATIC STALLING Ito ay ang “pagpapaikot-ikot” sa proseso. Sa halip na direktang sagutin o papasukin ang media, gagamit ang opisina ng mga kumplikadong rules o “formal requirements” (katulad ng pagpapapunta sa Pampanga regional office) para maantala o mapigilan ang paglabas ng impormasyon sa publiko.

RED TAPE BLITZ ukol sa mga dokumento o papeles.” Ito ay ang biglaang pagpapatupad ng napakaraming mahihigpit na requirements o “red tape” sa isang pagkakataon upang ma-overwhelm o “mablangko” ang mga journalists, na nagreresulta sa hindi nila pagkakapasok sa venue habang tapos na ang mahalagang kaganapan.

BREAKING NEWS ONLINE PH