Manila: The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) will begin Monday the special payout of the PHP5,000 cash relief assistance for transport network vehicle service (TNVS) drivers and motorcycle (MC) taxi drivers who have yet to receive their aid. The special payout from May 11 to 15 covers eligible drivers and riders from ride-hailing companies Grab and Move It in the National Capital Region (NCR).
According to Philippines News Agency, other payout schedules will be announced for other TNVS drivers, MC taxi riders, and service delivery riders. Their companies are expected to inform their drivers and riders regarding their schedules. Drivers and riders may check the schedules and venues through the official tracker link bit.ly/ClaimingTracker. They must bring their original driver's license and one photocopy when claiming their aid. Some of the venues are Smart Araneta Coliseum in Cubao, Quezon City, and SM Aura in Taguig.
Assistant Secretary and spokesperson Irene Dumlao stated in a news release on Sunday that the DSWD is coordinating with the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board, Department of Information and Communications Technology, and participating transport network companies (TNCs) to ensure the orderly distribution of assistance to beneficiaries affected by the oil price hikes. Dumlao mentioned that President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. ordered the DSWD to ensure that everyone in the transport services sector is provided with the necessary assistance being distributed by the government.
'Ang DSWD po ang mangangasiwa sa payout ng cash assistance habang ang mga TNCs naman ang tutulong sa logistical support gaya ng venue arrangements at pag-aayos ng payout schedules ng kanilang (The DSWD administers the payout of cash assistance while the TNCs are the ones helping us for the logistical support like venue arrangements and setting up for payout schedules of their) drivers and riders,' Dumlao said. She reminded beneficiaries to follow their assigned schedule and venue to avoid delay and to hasten the payout process. Walk-ins are not allowed.
She also advised those whose names are not yet on the list of beneficiaries to wait for further announcements. They may belong to other TNCs with separate payout schedules or may be assigned outside the NCR, where payouts will also be announced separately. The provision of cash relief assistance under the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situations program is part of DSWD's commitment to the Unified Package for Livelihoods, Industry, Food and Transport (UPLIFT) whole-of-government strategy to help public utility vehicle drivers affected by oil price hikes.
