The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) said issues in beneficiary data — ranging from duplicate entries to unverifiable identities — are delaying the rollout of financial assistance for transport drivers, prompting the agency to temporarily avoid fully digital payouts.

DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian said the agency is still validating lists submitted by transport network companies and other stakeholders, warning that inaccurate data could result in funds being released to ineligible or non-existent recipients.

“Are these really real people? Are these really drivers?” Gatchalian said, stressing the need for strict verification. “We don’t want ghost beneficiaries or ghost drivers.”