Transport workers across Metro Manila will begin receiving their P5,000 cash assistance starting Tuesday, as fuel prices continue to rise.
According to the Department of Social Welfare and Development – National Capital Region (DSWD-NCR), beneficiaries include drivers of transport network vehicle services (TNVS), public utility jeepneys (PUJs), delivery riders, and motorcycle taxis.
Payout schedule:
- March 24 (Tuesday): TNVS drivers
- March 25 (Wednesday): PUJ drivers
- March 26–27 (Thursday–Friday): Delivery riders
- March 28 (Saturday): Motorcycle taxi drivers
Drivers are advised to coordinate with their respective local government units for details on payout locations and documentary requirements.
The program aims to assist 396,352 public utility vehicle (PUV) drivers in the region, helping cushion the impact of rising fuel costs on their daily income.
Nationwide Expansion Begins April 6
A broader rollout covering drivers outside Metro Manila will begin on April 6, according to Ferdinand Marcos Jr..
The nationwide assistance package includes:
- One-time P5,000 cash aid from DSWD
- Fuel subsidies from the Department of Transportation (DOTr):
- P5,000 for traditional jeepneys
- P10,000 for modern jeepneys
Distribution in the provinces will proceed once the Department of Transportation and the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board finalize the list of beneficiaries.
Aid Amid Rising Fuel Prices
The government’s assistance comes as global oil prices continue to climb due to tensions in the Middle East, with diesel prices projected to reach as high as P120 per liter.
In a recent vlog, President Marcos assured transport workers that the government is addressing their concerns and will not leave them behind. He also urged the public to practice bayanihan, conserve resources, and help one another during the ongoing crisis.
The fuel subsidy program is expected to be fully rolled out by the end of March, reinforcing efforts to ease the burden on drivers and maintain stable transport services nationwide.
