Quezon city: The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) aims to complete all cash relief assistance payouts by May 20. 'The instruction of Secretary Rex Gatchalian to the Operations Cluster is to complete all payout activities ng May 20. So tatapusin na po natin (So, we will finish it), that's nationwide. That's our commitment to the Unified Package for Livelihoods, Industry, Food, and Transport (UPLIFT),' DSWD spokesperson Assistant Secretary Irene Dumlao told reporters in a media forum at the DSWD Central Office in Quezon City on Thursday.

According to Philippines News Agency, Dumlao said that on May 11, the payout activities for Transport Network Vehicle Service (TNVS) drivers, motorcycle (MC) taxi riders and service delivery riders within Metro Manila will resume. To ease the burden on beneficiaries, the DSWD held a meeting this week with transport network companies (TNCs) to ensure a smooth payout process for TNVS drivers, MC taxi riders and service delivery riders.

The TNCs are expected to inform their drivers of their schedule and designated payout venue, while the DSWD will help disseminate the information. The DSWD spokesperson said that during the meeting with the TNCs, the DSWD was able to prepare a reconciled list that will serve as the ultimate basis for the master list of beneficiaries for the cash relief assistance.

Coinciding with the payout in Metro Manila, the DSWD's Field Offices will also resume payouts for public utility vehicle drivers outside the NCR. Drivers can check the official Facebook pages of the DSWD for updates on the payout schedules.

In line with the directive of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., the DSWD provides PHP5,000 cash relief assistance to help ease the burden on the transport sector from the effects of rising petroleum prices resulting from the geopolitical conflict in the Middle East.