Tricycle Driver Misses Aid While Hospitalized, Dies Before Receiving Help
A bedridden tricycle driver was not able to receive government financial aid as daughter’s authorization is denied.
A tricycle driver in Quezon City misses government financial aid after being confined in the hospital and passed away before the assistance reached him.
Jimmy Gariga, who had been a tricycle driver for 30 years and a member of a local drivers’ association in Batasan, was included in the list of beneficiaries for fuel aid. The support was meant to help drivers cope with the rising cost of petroleum products.
However, as early as March 2, Jimmy had already been going in and out of the hospital due to his condition. Because he could not personally claim the aid, his daughter, Shikinah, stepped in to try to get it on his behalf.
Shikinah lined up during the payout day, bringing an authorization letter signed by her father, along with a medical certificate to prove his situation.
“Yung time po na yun sabi ko, ‘Pa, may ayuda ka.’ Sabi ko, ‘kaya mo? Kaya mo mag-sign?’ Nag-sign. Nag-sign po siya for authorization. Kahit hindi niya po kaya, hindi niya magalaw, pinilit niya po,” Shikinah said.
Despite her efforts, she was not allowed to claim the money. Since Jimmy’s name was on the official list, the payout required his personal presence and signature. The staff explained that they were not permitted to release the funds to a representative, even with documents, to avoid issues and possible liabilities.
Shikinah shared that her father struggled just to sign the authorization, even though he was already weak and unable to move properly.
“Nagtututuro na po kung sino po puwede kakausap sa akin. Dahil nga po, si Papa ang nasa masterlist pero ako po yung mag-sign. Bawal daw po yun… Okay lang naman po kahit hindi nakuha ni Papa yung payout. Pero sana po sa susunod, maging case-to-case basis,” she added.
A few days later, on Thursday (March 19, 2026), Jimmy passed away, leaving his family in grief.
The Department of Social Welfare and Development said they are looking into ways to improve the process but explained that strict rules are in place to protect both the beneficiaries and the paymasters.
The agency added that special payouts can be arranged for those who miss scheduled distributions. They also visited Jimmy’s wake and provided burial and medical assistance to help his family during this difficult time.
In another post, a mother dies after collapsing while queuing for DSWD aid distribution
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