Malacañang has warned operators of transport network vehicle services (TNVS) who may not be reporting the exact number of drivers, leading to discrepancies in the list of cash aid beneficiaries.

Palace Press Officer and Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro alleged that some TNVS companies are underreporting their drivers to evade paying proper taxes.

With this, she urged drivers to personally check with their operators if they are indeed registered under their respective TNVS companies.

This, she said, would also avoid inconveniences in claiming cash relief assistance from the government, citing recent instances where drivers found they were not part of the beneficiary lists during aid distribution.

“Ang pakiusap lang natin sa mga driver na pumipila, itanong ninyo muna kung kayo ay miyembro [at nakarehistro] dito sa TNVS (Our only request to drivers lining up is that you first ask whether you are a member and registered under the TNVS),” Castro said in a Palace briefing on Tuesday, April 21.

She explained that some TNVS operators submit only a limited list of registered drivers to the government, which serves as the basis for identifying beneficiaries. Issues arise when drivers who are not on the list attempt to claim aid.

“Hindi naman basta makakapagbigay ng ayuda sa isang driver na hindi naman rehistrado (You cannot simply provide financial aid to a driver who is not registered),” she said, adding that drivers should coordinate directly with their operators.

“Tapikin niyo mismo yung namumuno sa inyong TNVS dahil baka sila mismo ang nanloloko sa gobyerno para makaiwas sa pagbabayad ng tamang buwis (You should directly approach the leadership of your TNVS, because they themselves might be deceiving the government in order to avoid paying the correct taxes),” Castro further said.

Malacañang also vowed to streamline the distribution of cash assistance to public utility vehicle (PUV) drivers, noting that convenience for beneficiaries remains President Marcos' top priority.

The assurance came after a motorcycle taxi rider died over the weekend while waiting in line at the Quezon Memorial Circle in Quezon City to claim financial assistance from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).