DSWD eyes e-wallets for ayuda payout after motorcycle taxi rider's death

The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) on Monday said it is considering the use of digital payment systems for cash aid distribution following the death of a motorcycle taxi rider during a payout activity in Quezon City.

“Meron na tayong ginagawa na konsultasyon para sa adoption naman ng mga digital systems kasi nakikita naman natin 'yung value ng pag-adopt ng mga electronic wallets,” DSWD spokesperson Irene Dumlao told GMA News’ Unang Balita in an interview.

“Especially sa panahon na ganito na mainit po 'yung panahon, ayaw talaga natin na pumipila rin 'yung ating mga vulnerable sectors,” she added.

Aside from avoiding casualties, this move also aims to reduce operational and administrative costs.

Dumlao said the agency still has no official information on the cause of death of the rider as the family was awaiting the issuance of a death certificate. 

The DSWD has extended assistance to the victim’s family.

After the incident, the DSWD acknowledged that improvements are needed in its payout system to manage large crowds. 

Dumlao said the agency did not anticipate the volume of beneficiaries who flocked to the Quezon City payout site and said better queuing and crowd control measures should have been implemented.

The payout over the weekend was open to motorcycle taxi and delivery riders nationwide, allowing them to claim aid at the nearest distribution site. 

But the setup contributed to the unexpected surge of claimants in certain locations.

Despite the incident, Dumlao said the agency will continue distributing cash assistance and will announce additional schedules for those who were unable to claim their aid.

The DSWD is also investigating a complaint in Taguig where a rider alleged that another individual claimed assistance under his name. Dumlao said documents and identification cards have been collected to verify the incident.

Meanwhile, the agency is studying possible expansion of assistance to other sectors affected by the ongoing energy-related challenges such as the middle class, senior citizens, and persons with disabilities. —AOL, GMA News