DSWD: 977k PUV drivers given P5k aid, more payouts for MC taxi, delivery riders

The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has given P5,000 in cash relief assistance (CRA) each to 977,036 public utility vehicle (PUV) drivers so far to help cushion the impact of high fuel costs due to the Middle East conflict.

In a statement, the DSWD said the beneficiaries are tricycle drivers, jeepney drivers, transport network vehicle services (TNVS) drivers, service delivery drivers, and motorcycle (MC) taxi drivers.

DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian assured that they have enough funds under the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS) program to sustain the distribution of cash aid to PUV drivers.

“Tulad ng napaliwanag ko, nasa P60 billion ang AICS fund. So, marami pa. Mayroon pa tayong program funds na pwedeng gamitin,” Gatchalian said on Monday.

(Like I explained, the AICS fund has P60 billion. So we still have a lot. We still have program funds that we can use.)

He added that they are preparing for a possible second round of payouts through digital payment platforms to improve efficiency and streamline the distribution of the assistance to PUV drivers.

“Nagsimula na tayo ng proseso. Sa katunayan, nag-submit na ng proposal ang GCash, Maya –ready na tayo kung magkakaroon ng pangalawang round. Doon na natin idadaan. Ngayon, confident na kami sa listahan. Mataas na ang aming confidence level,” Gatchalian said.

(We have already begun the process. In fact, GCash and Maya already submitted their proposals – we are ready if there is a need for a second round. We will use that for payouts. We are now confident with our list. Our confidence level is high.)

In a separate interview, DSWD spokesperson and Assistant Secretary Irene Dumlao reiterated that they are eyeing to finish the first round of payouts before the end of April.

The DSWD is coordinating with the Department of Health (DOH) and local government units (LGUs) to increase the presence of medical teams at each payout site, especially with the hot weather.

“Ito rin ang titingnan natin may additional services tayo na mai-provide kasi extra love and extra care ang ating service delivery.  Sa lahat ng pamamaraan na may makapagbigay ng tulong ay gagawin po natin ang coordinating with our partners,” Dumlao said.

(We are looking at this as additional services that we can provide, because our service delivery comes with extra love and extra care. We will coordinate with our partners in delivering assistance.)

Dumlao added that the agency is assessing the issues that arose during the April 18 and 19 special payouts for MC taxi and delivery riders amid reports that some riders have not yet received their P5,000 cash aid.

“Lahat ng mga naging issues, maging sa proseso man o sa mga payout sites ay ating pinag-aaralan at inaassess upang maiwasan itong maulit sa pagsasagawa natin ng additional special payouts,” she said.

(All of the issues, may it be in the process or at the payout sites, will be studied and assessed to avoid these during additional special payouts.)

“Para sa mga hindi po umabot sa cut-offs at hindi pa naka-claim ng kanilang cash relief assistance, hindi po natin hahayaan na hindi nila makuha ang assistance. Atin lang pong pinag-aaralan ang pinakamabuting paraan kung paano ito gagawin para masagutan ang mga issues na ating kinaharap ngayong special payout,” Dumlao added.

(For those who did not make it to the cut-offs and have not yet claimed their cash release assistance, we will not let them go without receiving the assistance. We are just studying the best way on how to do this to respond to the issues that we faced during the special payout.)

The DSWD will set additional payout schedules for MC taxi drivers and delivery riders who have not yet received their P5,000 cash aid.

A careful study of the payout sites and the capacity to accommodate thousands of drivers will form part of the assessment in the conduct of the additional special payouts.

PUV drivers may refer to the DSWD and the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board’s (LTFRB) official Facebook pages for updates on the additional special payout schedules. — JMA, GMA News