A number of Private Express and/or Messengerial Delivery Service (PEMEDES) providers expressed their gratitude to the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) following the successful distribution of cash relief assistance to drivers, riders, and service delivery providers nationwide.

Asst. Secretary Irene Dumlao, the DSWD spokesperson, said the Department attributes the positive feedback from PEMEDES companies and drivers to recent special and regional payouts to the hard work of agency personnel.

“We are happy to receive a lot of positive feedbacks from our beneficiaries na nakatanggap ng kanilang 5,000 pesos cash relief assistance nitong mga nagdaang linggo. Ito po ang utos sa atin ng Pangulo, Pangulong Ferdinand Marcos Jr. na siguraduhing lahat ng mga PUV drivers ay makakakuha, kahit iyong mga nasa regions,” Asst. Secretary Dumlao said on Thursday (June 4).

“Ang maayos na mga payouts natin ay resulta ng magandang kolaborasyon sa pagitan ng DSWD sa pangunguna ni Secretary Rex Gatchalian, Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), mga local government units, at syempre mga TNCs dahil sa patuloy nilang pakikipag-ugnayan sa atin na maging maayos ang payout process. Ito din ay na-achieve natin dahil sa dedikasyon ng ating mga DSWD workers nationwide, ang ating Angels in Red Vest (ARVs),” the DSWD spokesperson added.

The DSWD simultaneously conducted special payout in Metro Manila and regular regional payouts as part of its objective to ensure that no public utility vehicle (PUV) drivers will be left behind in the provision of assistance.

Representatives from the PEMEDES providers sent messages to the DSWD, highlighting the smooth experience of their drivers during the scheduled payouts.

“Sobrang saya po ng mga drivers po namin dahil lahat po ng staff ninyo mababait at asikasong asikaso sila. Nagpapasalamat po silang lahat sa inyo. Lahat po ng drivers namin nakakuha agad at maaga po sila natapos. Maraming-maraming salamat po sa Team DSWD at DICT. Godbless po sa inyong lahat,” a representative of Pronto Express Distribution Inc. said in his Facebook message to DSWD.

Another PEMEDES company also provided their feedback to the DSWD payout process.

“I was able to talk to our riders after the payout station. They were very happy naman of how fast and organized the process was. Maraming salamat po,” a representative from LBC Express said.

Other participating companies emphasized the value of the collaboration between government agencies and the transport companies. They expressed hope for additional projects and programs that deliver similar levels of service.

“We would like to thank the DSWD Team, and the DICT PEMEDES Team for all their efforts in making this program a success. We truly appreciate your hard work and dedication. We also extend our thanks to employees of other courier companies who helped [by] sharing missing information and adding us to other group chats,” Fastrak Services Inc. said.

Crown21 Transport Services noted that their efficient payout experience sharply contradicted online rumors of long queues, uncomfortable venues, and poor service.

“Ibang-iba sa mga nababalitaan ko po sa TV yung mga payouts nila. Noong payout po, 6:00 a.m., nasa entrance na po kami, namimigay po ng water and snacks. Lahat po ng drivers namin nakakuha agad. Natapos po kami ng 8:30 a.m. Schedule namin 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 a.m. pero umalis po [kami] ng 9:30 a.m. kasi po nag enjoy pa kaka-help sa entrance with DICT. Thank you DSWD and DICT,” a representative from Crown21 said.

The DSWD distributes the Php5,000 cash relief aid under its Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS) program.

This initiative serves as a core component of the President Marcos administration’s Unified Package of Livelihoods, Industry, Food, and Transport (UPLIFT) intervention framework for vulnerable sectors. (KB)