DSWD sets special payout for NCR PUV drivers, eyes digital distribution of cash aid

By Brian Campued

The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) assured unserved public utility vehicle (PUV) drivers in the National Capital Region (NCR) will get their P5,000 cash relief assistance (CRA) by next week.

In an interview with Radyo Pilipinas on Tuesday, DSWD spokesperson Asec. Irene Dumlao said a special payout will be conducted in four designated sites in Metro Manila once finalized.

“We have identified four payout sites—meron po sa South, sa North, sa Central NCR, para again, hindi naman mahirapan yung ating mga drivers na kumuha, gagastos pa ng karagdagang petrolyo para pumunta doon sa designated payout sites na malayo naman sa kanya,” Dumlao said.

PUV drivers who were either not in the initial list or failed to claim their cash aid on the supposed date of the payout include members of Tricycle Operators and Drivers Associations (TODAs) and Jeepney Operators and Drivers Associations (JODAs), as well as qualified Transportation Network Vehicle Services (TNVS) drivers, motorcycle (MC) taxi, and service delivery riders.

Verification processes involving transport network companies (TNCs) are likewise ongoing to cross-check the masterlists and avoid duplication of entries among riders.

Beginning Wednesday, the DSWD will distribute P5,000 cash aid to tricycle drivers across 16 regions outside of Metro Manila under the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS).

Qualified beneficiaries must present their valid driver’s license and one photocopy on the payout site, and the name on their ID must be the same on the list provided by their respective local government units.

Meanwhile, the DSWD is planning to make the distribution of the second tranche of the CRA digital to provide more accessible and convenient means for driver beneficiaries to get the cash aid.

In line with this, a virtual summit with financial service providers, e-money issuers, and mobile wallet operators will be held on Wednesday to discuss the planned shift to digital disbursement.

“Magbibigay-daan po ito sa mas accessible at efficient na financial payments, kung saan mas maraming benepisyaryo ang mabilis na maseserbisyuhan at mababawasan din ang mga administrative costs sa manual distribution,” DSWD Chief Information Officer Asec. Johannes Paulus Acuña said.

“Kasabay ng pag-aaral sa digital payouts, tinitiyak din po ng DSWD na mananatiling matatag ang ating verification at validation processes. Patuloy po nating sisiguruhin na ang tulong pinansyal ay napupunta po sa tamang mga benepisyaryo,” Acuña added.

-av