NEW WASHINGTON, Aklan – The Sustainable Livelihood Program in support of the Municipality of New Washington, has provided a total amount of ₱450,000.00 for their proposed livelihood projects. Through the local SLP Technical Working Group, the town’s transport sector, particularly the Padyak or trisikad drivers, was identified as the priority for the allocation. The local government unit aims to provide trisikad drivers with an e-bike unit of their own, eliminating the daily boundary payment fee for their existing rented units. The e-bike is also expected to increase the income of trisikad drivers with its capacity to accommodate more passengers and heavy cargo.

The municipality also provided ₱300,000.00 as LGU counterpart and another ₱30,000.00 from Municipal Mayor Jessica Regenio-Panambo as supplementary to the provided fund by the DSWD SLP paving way for 30 members of the New Washington Tri-Bike Association to acquire an e-bike unit and turned over to the association last January 11, 2023.

Regional Director Atty. Carmelo N. Nochete lauded such a partnership and highlighted the LGU’s initiative in providing e-bike units to its local transport providers as the first in the Province of Aklan. Nochete also brought to light the essence of the community-driven development approach which entailed recipients of such aid not just as mere beneficiaries but as partners and primary implementers of the project.