THE Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) said that it is working to complete the nationwide cash assistance payout for transport workers by May 20.
DSWD Assistant Secretary Irene Dumlao said that this was in compliance with the order of Social Welfare Secretary Rex Gatchalian to ensure the fast implementation of the Unified Package for Livelihoods, Industry, Food and Transport (Uplift) program.
”The instruction of Secretary Rex Gatchalian to the operations cluster is to complete all payout activities by May 20 nationwide, and that is our commitment under Uplift,” Dumlao said.
Dumlao said payout activities for transport network vehicle service (TNVS) drivers, motorcycle taxi riders and service delivery riders will resume on May 11.
She added that the payouts will cover beneficiaries in the National Capital Region who were unable to claim their assistance during previous payout periods.
”Next week, the distribution of cash relief assistance for motorcycle taxi riders, service delivery drivers and TNVS drivers who failed to claim their aid during our previous payout periods in the NCR will already be conducted,” Dumlao said.
The DSWD also met with transport network companies this week to ensure smoother payout operations and lessen the burden on beneficiaries.
Under the arrangement, transport network companies will handle venue identification, coordination with payout areas, and notification of drivers regarding schedules and distribution procedures.
”The DSWD will just appear at the payout sites and distribute the financial assistance, but we will also help in information dissemination,” Dumlao said.
The DSWD added that it has already reconciled beneficiary lists with transport network companies to remove duplicate and erroneous entries as payouts continue nationwide.
