The government is moving to wrap up the first round of cash assistance for public utility vehicle (PUV) drivers in the regions this month, as it ramps up support for the transport sector amid rising fuel costs.

Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Rex Gatchalian said the agency aims to complete the distribution of cash relief assistance (CRA) outside Metro Manila by April 30, following the rollout that began on April 8.

“Ang layunin at objective natin, on or before April 30, lahat ng transpo sector sa labas ng Metro Manila ay nabigyan ng kanilang financial assistance (Our goal and objective is that on or before April 30, all transport sectors outside Metro Manila would have received their financial assistance),” the DSWD chief said.

He said preparations are already underway for the next phase of assistance, in line with the directive of Ferdinand Marcos Jr. “to ensure that no driver or rider is left behind.”

READ MORE:

Gatchalian said the assistance is being distributed in phases across provinces, beginning with tricycle drivers, followed by jeepney drivers, transport network vehicle service (TNVS) operators, motorcycle taxis, and delivery service riders.

“Sunod na kaagad (sa tricycle drivers) ‘yung mga jeep, and then yung TNVS like yung mga four-wheel na ride-hailing, and then MC Taxi and yung service delivery. So sunod-sunod lahat yan (Next after tricycle drivers are jeepney drivers, then TNVS such as four-wheel ride-hailing services, followed by motorcycle taxis and delivery services. These will all be given in succession),” he said.

The DSWD chief underscored that the government is working through a whole-of-government approach to speed up the distribution of aid.

Meanwhile, Gatchalian urged drivers operating without proper documentation, or “colorum,” to regularize their status to qualify for government aid, stressing that those with invalid or incomplete documents cannot be included in the official beneficiary list.

“We cannot put them in the list kasi that's tolerating something na mali to begin with sa mata ng lokal na pamahalaan. Sa mata ng national government, hindi sila dapat namamasada kasi paso ang lisensya o walang lisensya (We cannot include them in the list because that would mean tolerating something that is already wrong in the eyes of the local government. From the national government’s perspective, they should not be operating because their licenses are expired or they have none),” he said.

He also assured qualified drivers that funds have already been set aside for them and advised them to follow the payout schedules set by their respective local governments.

Gatchalian said mechanisms are in place to accommodate eligible drivers who may have been initially excluded from the payout.

He also thanked PUV drivers for continuing to serve the public despite challenges in their livelihood.

“Sa ating mga public utility vehicle drivers, nagpapasalamat kami dahil kahit na ganito na kahirap ang inyong hanapbuhay, tuloy-tuloy pa rin ang inyong public service. Alam naman natin na yung mga PUV drivers hindi lang yan hanapbuhay, it's public service. Kung wala kayo, titigil ang ating ekonomiya (To our public utility vehicle drivers, we thank you because despite the difficulties in your livelihood, you continue to provide public service. We know that being a PUV driver is not just a job—it is public service. Without you, our economy would come to a halt),” he said.