Manila: The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) is committed to providing cash relief assistance (CRA) to unserved transport workers across the National Capital Region (NCR) through a special payout next week.
According to Philippines News Agency, DSWD spokesperson Assistant Secretary Irene Dumlao revealed in a radio interview on Tuesday that members of the Tricycle Operators and Drivers Association (TODA) and Jeepney Operators and Drivers Association (JODA) will receive PHP5,000 in financial aid by next week. The special payout will also include qualified Transportation Network Vehicle Services (TNVS) drivers, motorcycle (MC) taxi, and service delivery riders who were not included in the initial list or failed to claim their cash aid in previous schedules.
The DSWD plans to announce four designated payout sites in Metro Manila to minimize the travel expenses of beneficiaries. Dumlao emphasized that these sites will be strategically located in the south, north, and central NCR to ease the process for drivers and prevent them from spending extra on fuel to reach distant payout venues.
Dumlao also mentioned that there are ongoing verification processes involving the Transport Network Companies' (TNCs) management to crosscheck their master lists and eliminate duplicate entries among their riders. This ensures that all eligible public utility vehicle (PUV) drivers and riders receive the assistance they are entitled to.
In addition, Dumlao assured that the funds allocated under the DSWD's Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation program are sufficient to cover all target beneficiaries. She stated that the PHP30 billion earmarked for the cash relief assistance is adequate, even if additional funds are required for drivers outside Metro Manila.
This special payout is aligned with the commitment of Secretary Rex Gatchalian to ensure that all qualified PUV drivers in NCR receive the relief assistance. It also follows President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.'s directive to ensure that no public transport driver is left behind.
