The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) announced that it concluded its nationwide cash relief assistance program for the public transportation sector, providing assistance to over 1.8 million drivers around the country.

In a statement, Social Welfare Assistant Secretary Irene Dumlao said that the measure officially marked its last day on 30 June, distributing more than P9 billion of the department’s funds.

“Yesterday, 30 June, marked the last day of the distribution of our cash relief assistance to PUV drivers and delivery riders that were affected by the increase of gasoline and fuel. Starting 17 March until 30 June, over 1.8 million people received P5,000,” Dumlao said.

The initiative was in line with the order of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to assist the transportation sector as gas prices between February to April peaked at P164.70 per liter.

Such soaring prices forced a majority of drivers out of the road as some earned as little as P5 on a daily basis according to some reports.

In response, cash in the amount of P5,000 was disbursed through the DSWD’s Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS) program which had allocated a total of P30 billion for the measure.

Covered under the program were tricycle drivers, jeepney drivers, delivery service riders, motorcycle taxi riders, and transportation network vehicle service drivers from all regions.

The effort was conducted through an inter-agency approach as the DSWD got help from transportation agencies such as the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB), Private Express and Messengerial Delivery Service Sector (PEMEDES) and the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT).

The Social Welfare agency also coordinated with local government units (LGU) and the Transport Network Company (TNC) to compile the lists that totaled to an estimated 2.4 million drivers.

However, Dumlao clarified that the reason that they were unable to fully cater to the complete list was because some drivers were no longer drivers.

“The program ran for three months and a half that the nationwide payouts ran. If you can remember, there were a lot of special payouts that the DSWD prepared to accommodate those that were not included in the initial list, the people that did not make their schedules,” she said.

“It could be possible that they are no longer PUV drivers or maybe some are no longer in the Philippines,” she added.