Quezon city: Around 95,000 delivery riders have so far received their PHP5,000 fuel subsidy from the government, with the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) planning additional distributions for those who missed out.

According to Philippines News Agency, during the 'Kapihan sa DICT' in Quezon City on Wednesday, DICT Postal Regulation Division Director Carlos Murcia announced a three-day fuel subsidy distribution for private express and/or messengerial delivery service (PEMEDES) riders in the National Capital Region (NCR) from April 17 to 19. For those outside Metro Manila, another distribution is scheduled from April 28 to 30.

Murcia stated that these distributions are a special payout for those who did not receive their subsidy previously. The venues and other details for these special payout events will be announced through the DICT and the Department of Social Welfare and Development's (DSWD) social media pages.

DICT Secretary Henry Aguda emphasized that the fuel subsidy aims to support delivery riders whose earnings have been affected by rising fuel prices amid the ongoing energy emergency. While acknowledging that this measure does not solve all challenges, Aguda noted that it ensures delivery riders are supported and not left behind.

Aguda also highlighted that the quick distribution of the fuel subsidy to PEMEDES riders was facilitated by the DICT's amnesty program in 2025, which allowed for the registration of more PEMEDES operators and riders. With an estimated 80 percent of PEMEDES operators and riders being unregistered in 2025, the amnesty program succeeded in registering virtually all riders, except a select few not regulated by the DICT and the Department of Trade and Industry.

Additionally, Aguda underscored the DICT's efforts to expand mobile and broadband services throughout the country, aiming to further improve the experience of delivery riders. The vehicles of telecommunications repair teams are now exempted from the number coding scheme in Metro Manila to ensure timely repairs of mobile networks that these riders rely on.

Furthermore, the DICT is in discussions with other government agencies, such as the Department of Energy, to provide subsidies to PEMEDES operators, not just riders.