Baguio city: At least 6,670 public utility jeepney (PUJ) drivers in the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) are scheduled to receive PHP 5,000 in cash relief assistance from the government starting next week. Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD-CAR) Acting Director Enrique Gascon revealed on Thursday that the payouts will take place from May 4 to 7. The final list of 6,670 beneficiaries was established following a cross-matching and de-duplication process to ensure individuals had not received identical DSWD relief.
According to Philippines News Agency, Gascon explained during a media briefing that the list provided by the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) underwent a thorough cross-matching and de-duplication process using the national list of the department. This process was critical in removing those who had previously received the same cash relief assistance. Most beneficiaries are located in Baguio City and Benguet, with others spread across different regional provinces.
To maintain public transport services, DSWD will coordinate with association presidents to manage the payout schedule, with Baguio drivers slated for May 4, followed by Benguet drivers on May 5. To claim the assistance, drivers are required to appear in person and must present a valid driver's license along with a photocopy of the document. These identification details must match the "clean list" derived from LTFRB data. Unclaimed funds will be returned to the national treasury, similar to a previous release where only a small fraction of over 8,000 regional tricycle drivers were unable to claim their assistance.
In a separate initiative, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) is currently validating 400 drivers and farmers for the Tulong Pangkabuhayan sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers (TUPAD) program, which offers 20 days of employment at a minimum wage of PHP 505. Additionally, DSWD-CAR has begun prepositioning relief items in satellite warehouses across the provinces. Gascon noted that DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian ordered these facilities to be filled to maximum capacity to ensure Geographically Isolated and Disadvantaged Areas (GIDA) have immediate access to food and non-food items during emergencies.
