DSWD payout for PUV drivers begins Tuesday

MANILA, Philippines — Drivers of public utility vehicles, particularly those with the Transport Network Vehicle Services or TNVS, will receive their cash relief assistance payout beginning on Tuesday, the Department of Social Welfare and Development announced.

DSWD spokesperson Irene Dumlao said the relief distribution on Tuesday is a continuation of the assistance given to the transport sector, starting with tricycle drivers in Metro Manila last week.

“The purpose is to immediately help those who are continuously affected by the oil price hike,” Dumlao said in a statement.

She added that the DSWD aims to distribute the cash aide to more than 34,000 TNVS drivers, 20,000 jeepney drivers, 83,000 delivery riders and 34,000 motorcycle taxi riders in the National Capital Region.

According to Dumlao, jeepney drivers will receive their cash relief assistance from March 26 to 27.

“The last to receive the cash relief assistance are the taxi drivers. They are scheduled for March 28,” Dumlao said.

She said President Marcos has instructed the DSWD to provide cash relief to all public transport drivers as they are among the hardest hit sectors in the continuing crisis in the Middle East.

The DSWD is coordinating with the Department of Transportation and the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board for the distribution of cash relief to drivers in other regions, she added.

Last week, 90,680 tricycle drivers in Metro Manila received P5,000 each to help cushion the impact of oil price hikes.

The relief is being implemented under the DSWD assistance to individuals in crisis situation program, which serves as a social safety net or stop-gap mechanism to support the recovery of individuals and families who are experiencing unexpected crisis.