DSWD Extends Aid to Family of Slain Motorcycle Taxi Rider; Safety Concerns Rise

The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) on Saturday said that it has extended assistance to the family of Fabio Norberte Jr., the motorcycle taxi rider, who was stabbed and killed by his passenger in Caloocan City. “Agad pong nagbahagi po ng paunang tulong ang DSWD Field Office (FO) National Capital Region (NCR) sa kanilang pamilya dahil napag-alaman po namin na sya ay isang solo parent at may anak na may autism spectrum disorder (ASD),” DSWD Asst. Secretary Irene Dumlao said. (The DSWD Field Office (FO) National Capital Region (NCR) immediately provided initial assistance to the family, as we learned that the individual is a solo parent with a child diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD).) The DSWD said that included in the assistance is a P10,000 cash aid and funeral assistance through a guarantee letter (GL). It added that the family was given a list of documentary requirements for the availment of medical assistance and other forms for possible financial assistance under the DSWD’s Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS) program. According to police reports, the victim was allegedly attacked with an ice pick by his "Nakahandang magbigay pa ang DSWD ng mga nararapat na interbensyon upang matulungan ang pamilya ng nasawing MC taxi rider hanggang sa malagpasan nila ang kanilang pagdadalamhati at matugunan ang kanilang agarang pangangailangan,” added Dumlao. (The DSWD is prepared to provide further appropriate interventions to assist the family of the deceased motorcycle taxi rider until they overcome their grief and their immediate needs are met.) In Tina Panganiban-Perez's report on "24 Oras" on Friday, several motorcycle taxi riders expressed concern over the growing safety risks they face on the job. Meanwhile, motorcycle taxi riders have proposed identity verification of passengers and an SOS button in their ride-hailing app, among other safety measures, to boost their protection amid incidents of violence against their colleagues. The Motorcycle Taxi Community Alliance (MTCA) called on passengers to respect and help ensure the safety of motorcycle taxi drivers. —VAL, GMA News