PUV drivers to get P5,000 aid

Public utility vehicle (PUV) drivers who have been hit by soaring fuel prices amid tensions in the Middle East will soon receive financial assistance from the government after President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. ordered immediate intervention.

The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) confirmed that each affected driver will receive P5,000 in financial aid, with distribution set to begin this week.

DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian said the rollout will start on Tuesday, initially covering tricycle drivers in Metro Manila before expanding to other sectors of public transportation.

“Tulad ng nasabi ni Secretary Banoy (Giovanni Lopez) na ang direktiba ng ating Pangulo ay gamitin ang lahat ng mga programa ng DSWD para maprotektahan natin ang mga mahihirap, marginalized, the poor and the vulnerable,” Gatchalian said.

He explained that the assistance will be released through the agency’s Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS) program, which provides emergency support to people whose livelihoods have been severely affected.

“So, naka-standby na iyong 30 billion, handang-handa na ang DSWD, nakakasa na rin ang mga mayor and this is a whole-of-government approach,” said Gatchalian. “Sa punto na ‘to, hindi na lang kasi sila public utility drivers kung hindi maituturing na natin silang mga individual in crisis situation dahil apektado na ang kanilang mga hanapbuhay – at diyan papasok ang AICS or the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation program ng DSWD.”

According to Gatchalian, the agency has sufficient funds to support the program, noting that the DSWD’s 2026 budget exceeds P60 billion, with P30 billion already available for emergency deployment.

The aid will not be limited to tricycle drivers. Beneficiaries will also include jeepney, taxi, UV Express, bus, and TNVS drivers who have been affected by the rising cost of fuel.

Gatchalian said the decision to start the payout immediately came after a meeting with Executive Secretary Ralph Recto, Department of Transportation Acting Secretary Giovanni Lopez, and several Metro Manila mayors.

“Tulad ng direktiba ng Pangulo, hindi na ‘to tatagal – as soon as Tuesday, tuluy-tuloy na ho ‘tong aarangkada hanggang sa matapos namin,” said Gatchalian.

For his part, Lopez said the President is closely monitoring the economic impact of the Middle East conflict on the country.

“So, ang utos po sa atin ng ating Pangulo, huwag na natin hayaang mas lumala pa ang sitwasyon at kailangan ng whole-of-government approach dito,” Lopez said.

He noted that the Department of Transportation (DOTr) is also implementing support measures for the transport sector, including the fuel subsidy and the Service Contracting Program (SCP), which provides payouts to PUV drivers in exchange for contracted transport services.

Lopez added that President Marcos directed government agencies to act even before global oil prices reach the usual trigger level of $80 per barrel.

“Although ang problema lang po dito, may mga kondisyon, mayroon po tayong sinasabi na kailangan ma-trigger muna iyong 80 dollars per barrel for one calendar month. At ang pinanggagalingan naman ng ating Pangulo, hindi na natin kailangang antayin pa ‘yan, kaya through the efforts of the President and the Executive Secretary, nakiusap na rin po kami sa DSWD, kay Secretary Rex,” Lopez said.

Local government officials have also expressed support for the initiative.

San Juan City Mayor Francis Zamora, who also serves as national president of the League of Cities of the Philippines (LCP), said city governments are ready to help implement the program to cushion the impact of rising fuel prices on transport workers.

Also present during the Malacañang press briefing were Manila City Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso and Pasay City Mayor Imelda Calixto-Rubiano.