The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) said more than 45,000 drivers and riders affiliated with transport network companies have received P5,000 cash assistance under the government’s special payout operations in Metro Manila.
As of May 16, the DSWD said 45,522 beneficiaries had received a total of P227.61 million through the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation program.
Based on the latest payout report of the DSWD’s Crisis Intervention Program, 37,344 drivers and riders from Grab, including Move It riders, received P186.72 million in assistance.
Meanwhile, 4,300 beneficiaries from JoyRide received P21.50 million, while 3,878 beneficiaries from inDrive received P19.39 million.
The highest single-day payout was recorded on May 16, when 8,172 beneficiaries received assistance totaling P40.89 million.
DSWD spokesperson Assistant Secretary Irene Dumlao said the payout operations were proceeding smoothly through coordination with participating transport network companies.
Dumlao said the agency’s special payout operations are continuing successfully on a per-company basis. She said the setup has helped streamline distribution operations and beneficiary verification.
According to Dumlao, conducting payouts by company has made the process faster, more orderly, and more organized. She added that coordination with transport network companies greatly improved verification procedures and prevented overcrowding at payout sites.
She also thanked participating companies for providing accessible payout venues for drivers and riders.
Dumlao said payout operations would continue next week and advised beneficiaries to monitor announcements from their respective companies.
The special payout operations are part of the government’s Unified Package for Livelihoods, Industry, Food, and Transport framework, which was launched under the directive of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to assist sectors affected by rising fuel prices and economic pressures.
