The Provincial Government of Ilocos Norte, through the Metro Ilocos Norte Council (MINC), will roll out the “Pantawid Pasada Program,” which will provide health insurance and fuel subsidies to over 18,000 tricycle and jeepney drivers in the province.
The “Pantawid Pasada Program” will include a MINC card which is valid for a year. The bearer of the card is entitled to health and medical insurance as well as a gas voucher. Moreover, driver-beneficiaries will get an 8 to 10% discount on purchases at partner drug stores.
“We developed this program in consideration of the risk that they (drivers) encounter every day on their operations in transporting the riding public,” MINC Administrative Officer V, Atty. Nikki Pilar said.
A total of P20 million has been set aside for the program, which will be divided into two distributions, one for each half of the year.
In addition, the MINC cards may be distributed as early as May or June.
On April 22, Governor Matthew Marcos Manotoc met with the Jeepney Operators and Drivers Association and expressed his gratitude for providing efficient transportation services in the province amid the pandemic’s challenges.
“Our drivers are one of the most affected during the pandemic and I thank you all for your cooperation as we try to recover and live under the new normal.”— Blessing Angel V. Agliam, PGIN-CMO
