MANILA, Philippines – The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DWSD) and the Department of Transportation (DOTr) would set a day for the special payout of fuel subsidies for transport workers who were excluded from the master list of beneficiaries, Malacañang announced on Thursday.
Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Undersecretary Claire Castro said this is to ensure compliance with the directive of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to not leave anyone behind in the government’s efforts to cushion the impact of the high prices of petroleum products particularly those from the transport sector.
Castro noted that DOTr Secretary Giovanni Lopez and DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian have agreed to have a special payout for the P5,000 financial assistance which will come from the Cash Relief Assistance Program under the DSWD's Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situations (AICS).
“There may have been a double entry or lack of details in their names or they may not have been registered with the LTFRB (Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board). But by the order of the president, no one will be left behind,” the official said in Filipino in a Palace briefing.
Reports earlier surfaced that there were jeepney drivers in some areas around the country whose names were not on the list slated to receive the cash aid. Castro gave reassurance that this is now being remedied.
“It's likely that there was a double listing. Let's say they were listed as a tricycle driver but they are also driving a motor taxi. So, all we really need is review the list of valid beneficiaries,” she said.
Overall, the government’s cash aid targets 245,066 driver-beneficiaries and operators of 1,180,783 PUV units nationwide.