Department of Social Welfare and Development Secretary Rex Gatchalian vowed on Wednesday that all eligible public utility vehicle drivers will receive government cash relief assistance, as the Dswd meets with the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board to address gaps in beneficiary lists.
Department of Social Welfare and Development Secretary Rex Gatchalian vowed during his visit to the payout site at Quezon Memorial Circle in Quezon City that all eligible public utility vehicle drivers will receive financial assistance. “The list came from LTFRB. Like what we announced many times, the role of the Dswd is to make sure that whatever list is provided to us by the LTFRB, they will receive financial assistance,” he said. He acknowledged complaints from PUV drivers at multiple payout sites due to gaps in the lists provided by the LTFRB. To resolve this, the Dswd will coordinate with the LTFRB and local government units to validate and consolidate names of unlisted drivers and arrange special payout schedules. For transport network vehicle service drivers, Gatchalian noted incomplete submissions from transport network companies, particularly excluding “temporary” or “tempo” drivers. A similar process for PUJ drivers will involve the LTFRB, LGUs, jeepney operators, and drivers’ associations. Special assessment teams will deploy to LGUs this week. As of noon on March 25, 13,737 of 23,643 target PUJ drivers in Metro Manila had received aid, including 3,064 out of 4,687 in Quezon City. Muntinlupa and Marikina postponed their schedules. Gatchalian warned against fraudulent text messages impersonating Dswd personnel.