18K Ilocos Norte trike, PUJ drivers get health insurance, fuel subsidy

By Blessing Angel V. Agliam

LAOAG CITY -- The provincial government of Ilocos Norte, through the Metro Ilocos Norte Council (MINC), will implement  "Pantawid Pasada Program," to provide health insurance and fuel subsidies to over 18,000 tricycle and jeepney drivers in the province. 

The "Pantawid Pasada Program" will include an MINC card which is valid for a year.

The bearer of the card is entitled to health and medical insurance and gas voucher.

Driver-beneficiaries will get 8 to 10 percent 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 lawyer 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.

MINC cards may be distributed as early as May or June.

On April 22, Gov.  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.”