THE Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) distributed cash relief assistance to 9,082 Grab and Move It drivers on the fourth day of its special payout activities in Metro Manila.
The payouts were held at the FilOil Centre in San Juan, and at the Smart Araneta Coliseum as part of the government’s Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS) program.
The financial aid distribution forms part of the Unified Package for Livelihood, Industry, Food, and Transport (Uplift) framework aimed at helping sectors affected by rising petroleum prices.
DSWD Assistant Secretary Irene Dumlao said on Friday that the cash relief program reflects the government’s commitment to support vulnerable sectors during difficult economic conditions.
“This distribution of cash relief assistance reflects our unwavering commitment to the mandate to leave no sector behind during these challenging times,” Dumlao said.
Records showed that 5,658 beneficiaries received assistance at the Smart Araneta Coliseum, with a total disbursement amounting to P28.29 million.
Meanwhile, another 3,424 beneficiaries were served at the FilOil Centre in San Juan with cash assistance totaling P17.12 million.
The DSWD said transport network companies were tasked with determining the schedules and venues for the payouts of drivers who had yet to receive their P5,000 assistance.
To speed up the distribution process, the Department deployed additional personnel to both venues to accommodate the large number of transport workers seeking assistance.
“We in the DSWD are maximizing all our resources and personnel on the ground because we deeply understand how important this financial aid is for our drivers, and we are closely monitoring the situation to ensure everyone is accommodated,” Dumlao said.
