The Department of Social Welfare and Development has completed the distribution of P5,000 cash relief assistance to more than 1.827 million transport workers nationwide.
DSWD Assistant Secretary and spokesperson Irene Dumlao said Wednesday that the agency released more than P9.139 billion under the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situations program during the payout period from March 17 to June 30.
Tricycle drivers made up the biggest share of beneficiaries, with 1.2 million recipients. They were followed by delivery service riders with 314,530, jeepney drivers with 119,030, motorcycle taxi drivers with 104,000, and transportation network vehicle service drivers with 89,394.
The payout was based on lists endorsed by local government units, transport network companies, the Private Express and Messengerial Delivery Service sector, the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board, and the Department of Information and Communications Technology.
The DSWD said around 2.4 million drivers and transport workers had been targeted for the cash assistance program.
The cash relief assistance forms part of the Marcos administration’s Unified Package for Livelihood, Industry, Food, and Transport, or UPLIFT, a whole-of-government response meant to help sectors affected by high oil prices and the impact of the Middle East conflict.
The agency said the program was aimed at providing immediate relief to transport workers facing higher operating costs and income pressure.