The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has completed the nationwide distribution of P5,000 cash assistance to qualified beneficiaries affected by rising fuel prices.
According to DSWD Assistant Secretary and spokesperson Irene Dumlao, a total of 1,827,827 public utility vehicle (PUV) drivers and delivery riders received the P5,000 cash aid from March 17 to June 30.
The assistance was released under the agency’s Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS) program, with a total disbursement of P9.139 billion.
The largest group of beneficiaries consisted of 1.2 million tricycle drivers, followed by more than 314,000 delivery riders, nearly 120,000 jeepney drivers, 104,000 taxi drivers, and almost 90,000 transport network vehicle service (TNVS) drivers.
The DSWD had earlier projected that around 2.4 million PUV drivers and riders would qualify for the program based on beneficiary lists endorsed by local government units, transport network companies, the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB), the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), and the Private Express and Messengerial Delivery Service Sector.
Dumlao explained that the difference between the projected and actual number of beneficiaries may be due to some individuals no longer working as PUV drivers or riders, or having already left the country.
(PHOTO COURTESY: DSWD)
