No rice for drivers who just enlisted

CEBU, Philippines — As over a thousand habalhabal and Angkas drivers are set to each claim a sack of rice during the next scheduled distribution on Monday, those who just registered will not get any, at least for now, a Cebu City Hall official said.

“Nakadawat mi og instruction ni mayor nga dili mi mo-accept kanang bag-o lang mopa-membro og asosasyon. Atong siguroon karon ang katong dinha na daan sa wala pa gi announce nga naay bugas ipang hatag,” said Assistant City Administrator Annabeth Cuizon.

(We received directive from the mayor not to accept those who just enlisted. We will give priority those who were already members even before the giving of rice aid was announced.)

Cuizon said many habalhabal drivers reportedly asked for membership of the different associations of habalhabal drivers in the city after the first distribution of the rice subsidy last February 23.

She said the city government will ask the field personnel of each of the associations to ensure that there will be no members listed after February 23, 2019.

“Daghan na gyud ang nitoo sa promise ni mayor nga mohatag siya og usa ka sakong bugas kay daghan man gyud ang wala ni too tungod sa fake news nga nigawas maong dalidali na silang nagpamembro,” she said.

(Many drivers now believe in the mayor’s promise to give rice aid. At first, some were hesitant due to some fake news that the mayor’s promise was untrue. Now, more drivers want to be enlisted in motorcycle drivers’ groups.)

Meanwhile, there is no deadline for claiming the rice subsidy from the city government, contrary to earlier reports that said it will be within 15 days from February 23.

“Ang gibutang sa executive order kay ‘those who fail to claim the rice within 15 days after the distribution shall be forfeited’. Sige pa man og atong distribution, so walay cut-off nga 15 days,” Cuizon said.

She added that the city government will still cater to the drivers who have not processed their requirements yet as long as they are on the list.

Cuizon said there is no deadline for the distribution of 4,000 remaining sacks of rice this year.

Last February 23, city has distributed 1,290 sacks of rice out of the 1,470 who applied. Since then, there are several habalhabal drivers that have processed within the week for the Monday’s distribution.

“Karong Lunes, usahon og distribute lang kay lisod kaayo among experience pag-Saturday, kinahanglan man og certification nga complete na ang requirements,” Cuizon said.

(We will distribute in mass this Monday because it was a difficult experience on Saturday, Feb. 23.)

All habalhabal and Angkas drivers in Cebu City are asked to comply with the five requirements to avail of the assistance: accomplished profile sheet; Commission on Elections Identification Card; proof of possession that they own the motorcycle; certification that the driver is indigent; and membership from any habalhabal association. (FREEMAN)