AID TO PUV DRIVERS. Public utility drivers in Batac, Ilocos Norte are given over PHP8 million in cash aid from the Ilocos Norte government, Athena Nicolette Pilar of the Metro Ilocos Norte Council (MINC) says on Wednesday (May 4, 2022). Each recipient got PHP3,000 cash aid and PHP1,000 worth of gas vouchers to be claimed in participating gas stations. (File photo by Leilanie G. Adriano) LAOAG CITY - Over PHP8 million were given to almost 3,000 members of tricycle and jeepney drivers associations in Batac, Ilocos Norte affected by the global pandemic. Athena Nicolette Pilar, administrative officer 5 of the Metro Ilocos Norte Council (MINC), said Wednesday the bonafide members of the MINC were entitled to a PHP3,000 cash assistance and a gas voucher worth PHP1,000. Pilar said the amount was supposed to be released last year but got delayed due to the pandemic. "This is a big help for our public drivers who are hard up because of the surge in fuel prices as well as prices of basic co