Thousands of transport workers who were left out of the government’s cash assistance list will still receive their ₱5,000 cash aid through a special payout to be held after the Holy Week break, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) said Saturday, March 29.
In an interview on DZRH News program “Special on Saturday,” DSWD spokeswoman Assistant Secretary Irene Dumlao announced the special payout while accompanying Secretary Rex Gatchalian on rounds of distribution sites in Metro Manila, including Malabon, Navotas, and Quezon City.
“Ang bilin sa atin na dapat matiyak na wala pong maiiwanan na mga drivers,” Dumlao said, stressing the agency’s commitment to reaching every eligible transport worker.
The exclusions stemmed from incomplete information in the submitted driver lists, Dumlao explained.
“Mayroon po kasi diyan incomplete ‘yung information — wala pong mga middle name na nai-provide, or ‘yung iba naman po walang na-provide na mga birthday,” she said.
These details are critical to the agency’s deduplication process, which screens out duplicate names across the database.
DSWD returned these incomplete records to the concerned local government units and the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) for completion.
Rather than waiting for corrected lists to be resubmitted, the DSWD said it took a proactive approach.
“Hindi na natin hihintayin na dumating ‘yung listahan sa amin — kami na po ang lumalapit para maisaayos itong listahan at mapabilis ‘yung pamamahagi natin ng tulong,” Dumlao said.
Representatives from transport network companies have also been stationed at DSWD help desks to assist drivers in submitting the required documents on the spot.
The issue drew public attention after a video of veteran journalist Boy Gonzales interviewing tricycle driver Jaime Ricafrente — who had been left off the aid list — went viral.
Ricafrente’s case highlighted what Dumlao acknowledged were “hiccups” and “obstacles” in the initial rollout.
“Ayaw natin na maulit ‘yung mga hiccups o ‘yung mga obstacles na na-encounter natin dito sa Kamaynilaan,” she said, adding that the agency is strengthening coordination ahead of the rollout in areas outside Metro Manila.
As of Saturday, the DSWD said it has already served more than 102,000 tricycle drivers, over 22,000 transport network vehicle service (TNVS) drivers, more than 18,000 jeepney drivers, and over 81,000 service delivery riders in Metro Manila — all receiving five thousand pesos each in financial assistance.
The regular Metro Manila payout is targeted for completion by March 31, after which distribution will shift to areas outside the capital region.
Drivers who were not included in the initial list are advised to coordinate with the LTFRB and their respective transport network companies, and to proceed to their designated payout site when a schedule is announced.
They will need to bring a valid driver’s license — both the original and a photocopy — along with additional information such as their middle name and date of birth.
Dumlao stressed that the DSWD’s role in the program is as a paymaster only.
The exact date and venue of the special payout will be announced in the coming days, she added, with the agency aiming to conduct it as soon as possible.
