THE Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) said it has provided P5,000 in cash relief to 22,937 transport network vehicle service (TNVS) drivers to mitigate the effect of rising fuel prices.
The number represents 84.39 percent of the total TNVS beneficiaries identified by the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB).
The assistance is part of the government’s efforts to cushion the impact of increasing petroleum prices on the transport sector.
The DSWD said it will conduct a special payout for public utility vehicle drivers who were not included in the original list of beneficiaries.
Assistant Secretary Irene Dumlao urged excluded drivers to coordinate with authorities to be included in the next payout.
“We understand that some drivers were not included in the list, so we are asking them to submit their names and a copy of their valid driver’s license to their transport regulatory units so these can be forwarded to the LTFRB,” Dumlao said.
She said the directive is in line with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s instruction to extend assistance to all drivers affected by rising fuel prices.
“This is the directive of the president that all our drivers who are facing various challenges due to the continued increase in fuel prices must be assisted,” Dumlao said.
The DSWD also said it is coordinating with local government units and LTFRB regional offices to prepare for the rollout of regional payouts after Holy Week.
Meanwhile, the agency is set to meet with transport network companies, including Grab Philippines, to explore ways to include more drivers, particularly those not reflected in the initial beneficiary list.
