LTFRB: Less than half of 435k PUV drivers to get COVID-19 aid

Less than half of the initially listed 435,000 public utility vehicle drivers will receive assistance from the government under the Bayanihan to Heal as One Act, Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board chair Martin Delgra has said.

Delgra made the remark during the House appropriations panel deliberations on the proposed 2021 budget of the Department of Transportation (DOTr).

He said the Department of Transportation and the LTFRB had submitted the list of 435,000 PUV drivers to the Department of Social Welfare and Development when the Bayanihan law was enacted.

"But the DSWD has other SAP beneficiaries. Having said that, ang responsibilidad namin is to provide that list and the DSWD is supposed to cross-match it, and which they did," Delgra said.

"The latest count as of two weeks ago was that 209,000 na lang yung nasa listahan that was cross-checked," he added.

Delgra said that the number of PUV driver-beneficiaries was reduced after the DSWD reviewed the list to avoid duplication.

"For example, sa isang pamamahay, posible na may senior doon, and senior might be a beneficiary under the SAP," Delgra said.

"It can also be that one of the household member is sidewalk vendor of which he may also be a beneficiary under the SAP. And that a third member might be a PUV driver," he added.

"So ganun yung mga anecdotal stories that we are getting from DSWD kung bakit nabawasan yung listahan ng numero ng mga PUV driver-beneficiaries," Delgra said.

Delgra acknowledged the delay in the distribution of assistance to PUV drivers.

"Kaya minabuti ng DOTr and LTFRB to work in close coordination with DSWD lalong-lalo na on the regional level. And that is what we're doing right now para maiayos na at maibigay na yung remaining funds for SAP for PUV drivers," Delgra said. -NB, GMA News