DSWD Announces Payout Schedule for 171,000 NCR Transport Workers; Provincial Rollout to Follow

MANILA, Philippines - The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) is set to resume the distribution of ₱5,000 cash relief assistance (CRA) to public utility vehicle (PUV) drivers in the National Capital Region (NCR) beginning Tuesday, March 24.

This second phase of the rollout aims to support over 171,000 transport workers who were not included in the initial distribution for tricycle drivers. DSWD Assistant Secretary Irene Dumlao confirmed that the agency is prioritizing those hardest hit by the "third wave" of fuel price hikes this month.

Detailed Payout Schedule and Beneficiary Breakdown

To prevent long queues and ensure that public transportation remains operational, the DSWD has organized a staggered schedule:

Tuesday, March 24: Transport Network Vehicle Services (TNVS) drivers (approx. 34,000 beneficiaries)
Wednesday, March 25: Public Utility Jeepney (PUJ) drivers (approx. 20,000 beneficiaries)
Thursday & Friday, March 26–27: Delivery service riders (approx. 83,000 beneficiaries)
Saturday, March 28: Motorcycle taxi riders (approx. 34,000 beneficiaries)

DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian previously noted that taxi and bus drivers are also being integrated into the master list in coordination with the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB).

Streamlined Process: "No Intake Sheets"

Following a directive from President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to make government aid more efficient, the DSWD has simplified the requirements. Drivers no longer need to fill out traditional "intake sheets" or undergo lengthy interviews at the payout sites.

Requirements for Claiming:

Original Valid Driver’s License
One (1) Photocopy of the License)

The agency is utilizing a "clean list" cross-referenced by the LTFRB and Local Government Units (LGUs) to ensure that the ₱5,000 grant, which was funded by the ₱60 billion 2026 AICS budget, aims to reach legitimate drivers directly without intermediaries.

DSWD also reminds all drivers that the assistance is free of charge and warns the public against "fixers" claiming to facilitate the aid for a fee. Any such activities should be reported to the nearest DSWD field office or local authorities.

Special Payouts and Provincial Expansion

For tricycle drivers who missed their scheduled dates last March 17–20 due to illness or list discrepancies, a special payout day was conducted on March 20. The DSWD has also announced that regional field offices have begun collating lists for transport workers in the provinces, with their payouts expected to commence in the second week of April, following the Holy Week break.

Note: For official references and verification, our readers may access the following government portals: