In line with its commitment to ensure that no public utility vehicle (PUV) driver is left behind in this crisis, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has started on Tuesday (April 14) the cash relief assistance (CRA) special payouts for the previously unlisted and unserved tricycle drivers in the National Capital Region (NCR).

Asst. Secretary Irene Dumlao, the DSWD spokesperson, said on Tuesday that the tricycle drivers’ payout will be immediately followed by public utility jeepney (PUJ) drivers whose payout was set on Wednesday (April 15).

Transport Network Vehicle Service (TNVS) drivers will have their payout on Thursday (April 16) while Motorcycle (MC) taxis and service delivery riders are scheduled on Friday (April 17).

“On April 16, we will be having the special payout para sa mga TNVS drivers. Ganun din po on April 17 para po sa mga MC Taxis and service delivery riders. And may special payout tayo for tricycle and jeepney drivers, ito ‘yung mga pahabol o hindi nakapag claim on April 14 and 15,” Asst. Secretary Dumlao said.

The DSWD has also scheduled an additional special payout period from April 18 to 19 to accommodate motorcycle (MC) taxi and service delivery riders who missed their initial payout dates.

Asst. Secretary Dumlao noted that the DSWD has allocated four specific payout sites across the NCR to cater to TNVS drivers, MC taxis, and service delivery riders to ensure a smooth and rapid distribution process.

“Apat lang po ang payout sites natin para sa mga TNVS, MC Taxis, at mga service delivery riders. Ito po ay matatagpuan sa Caloocan, we have the Caloocan Sports Complex. Sa Quezon City naman po we have the QC memorial circle. Sa Makati City we will be having the Makati Coliseum as additional venue site, and TLC concert ground sa Taguig City naman po. Maari po silang magtungo sa alinman sa mga lugar na nabanggit ko kung ano ang pinaka malapit sa kanila,” Asst. Secretary Dumlao said.

Many PUV drivers in Metro Manila have been waiting for updates regarding the special payout of the Php5,000 cash aid, especially those who were qualified but previously unlisted, as well as those who failed to claim on their given schedule.

To avoid similar problems in the special payouts, the DSWD has coordinated with the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB), Transport Network Companies (TNCs), and other transport organizations to guarantee that all listed and legitimate public drivers in NCR will receive their assistance without constraint.

“What we did is to strengthen our coordination with these organizations so that ‘yung mga drivers po ay maabisuhan kung saan magtutungo, kung anong araw, at anong oras sila pupunta doon sa mga payout sites,” the DSWD spokesperson pointed out.

The DSWD also requested TNCs to deploy personnel knowledgeable about their company’s internal systems to the payout sites. These representatives will assist the DSWD in maintaining order throughout the payout process through the Help Desks and respond to issues arising from the list of beneficiaries.

Asst. Secretary Dumlao emphasized that clear communication between drivers and their transport companies remains essential for an efficient and problem-free payout.

The DSWD spokesperson also reminded all driver-beneficiaries that personal appearance is required for the receipt of the Php5,000 and stressed that representatives are strictly prohibited from claiming the cash aid so as to prevent fraudulent claims.

“What we’re trying to prevent here is having ‘ghost drivers’. Ito po ‘yung mga hindi naman talaga eligible, hindi existing, wala po talaga sa kanilang mga lugar [pero] may nagke-claim para sa kanila. The reason why we are requiring the physical presence of our clients is that so when we proceed na to adoption of digital systems, nakapag-verify na tayo. It will be easy for us to use electronic wallets for the (next) distribution of financial aid,” Asst. Secretary Dumlao said. (KB)