DSWD to complete relief payout for tricycle drivers, unserved NCR PUV drivers by April

The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) on Wednesday said it will complete the P5,000 relief payout for all tricycle drivers and unserved public utility vehicle (PUV) drivers in Metro Manila by April.

“[D]efinitely within April matatapos natin lahat ng mga tricycle drivers sa iba’t ibang mga munisipyo at gayundin po yung mga iba pang drivers kabilang na diyan yung TNVS jeepney drivers at iba pang mga service delivery riders,” DSWD spokesperson Irene Dumalao told Balitanghali.

(Definitely within April, we will finish assisting all tricycle drivers in the various municipalities, as well as other drivers, including Transportation Network Vehicle Service, jeepney drivers, and other service delivery riders.)

Dumlao made the statement as she explained the DSWD is now prioritizing the distribution of cash aid to tricycle drivers in major cities due to their large numbers.

On Wednesday, DSWD is distributing cash assistance to over 260,000 tricycle drivers in major cities outside Metro Manila.

Meanwhile, the agency will set a special cash relief payout in four designated payout sites for unserved PUV drivers in Metro Manila next week.

This includes qualified transportation network vehicle services (TNVS) drivers, motorcycle (MC) taxi, and service delivery riders who were not on the initial list or who failed to claim their cash aid on the supposed date of the payout.

DSWD is also eyeing a shift to digital payouts for the second tranche of its relief payout for PUV drivers.

The ongoing conflict in the Middle East prompted consecutive oil price hikes in the country, as the war disrupted the shipment of petroleum products through the Strait of Hormuz, which is considered one of the world’s most crucial oil export routes.

This week, gasoline prices went up by up to P5.90 per liter, diesel by up to P19.80 per liter, and kerosene by P9.10 per liter. —RF, GMA News