By Dean Aubrey Caratiquet
Amid the government’s ongoing distribution of fuel subsidies to public utility vehicle (PUV) drivers in Metro Manila, with plans for a nationwide rollout set on April 6, the lead agency in charge of this initiative urged the public to exercise caution when availing the financial assistance.
This, as the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) cautioned Filipinos against the circulation of fraudulent text messages impersonating DSWD personnel and urging beneficiaries to apply through a provided link to avail of the cash relief assistance (CRA), or so-called “fuel assistance.”
DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian strongly condemned the prevalence of this scheme that capitalizes on the ongoing oil crisis and CRA dissemination.
Secretary Gatchalian said in a statement, “Hindi totoo ang kumakalat na text message na nag-aalok ng “fuel assistance” gamit ang pangalan ng DSWD.
Habang isinasagawa ang pamamahagi ng cash assistance para sa mga tsuper, may ilang indibidwal na nananamantala at nagpapakalat ng pekeng mensahe para manghikayat at makakuha ng personal na impormasyon.”
The Social Welfare chief moreover emphasized that the agency does not utilize online application forms in any of its financial assistance programs, advising the public to only rely on DSWD’s official social media channels for accurate and timely information.
He likewise urged the citizenry to refrain from clicking links embedded in these nefarious messages that may be used by scammers to obtain sensitive information and personal data.
Gatchalian: All eligible PUV drivers to benefit from CRA payout
Meanwhile, amid concerns raised by some PUV drivers who have not seen their names in the list of beneficiary drivers provided by the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB), Secretary Gatchalian provided reassurance that all eligible drivers will receive their respective fuel subsidies.
The Social Welfare said that the agency is already looking into addressing gaps in beneficiary lists as it is set to conduct a meeting with LTFRB to iron out such kinks in the CRA payout.
“Nag-usap kami ni [Chairperson] Vigor ng LTFRB. After today’s payout, we’ll go through every sector. Sa tricycle drivers, ang usapan namin ng mga mayors, their regulatory units will gather all the names na nawawala, and they will let us know kung babalik na kami for the special payout.”
This validation process is expected to cover other transportation sector,s such as transport network vehicle services (TNVS) drivers and operators and Jeepney Operators and Drivers Associations (JODAs), to identify those excluded from the lists.
DSWD will also deploy special assessment teams to local government units (LGUs) to further expedite the process, ensuring that PUV drivers receive the government’s financial assistance to compensate for rising fuel prices.
Secretary Gatchalian moreover assured that the agency still has sufficient funds under the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situations (AICS) program, and beneficiaries of this program will continue to receive assistance amid the prevailing energy emergency.
As of 12 noon on March 25, 13,737 of 23,643 target PUJ drivers across Metro Manila had already received cash relief assistance. In Quezon City—the largest payout site—3,064 out of 4,687 beneficiaries have already been served.
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