Department of Social Welfare and Development Secretary Rex Gatchalian has pushed back against misinformation surrounding th
Personnel of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) distribute PHP5,000 cash relief aid each to delivery riders during a payout at the Kartilya ng Katipunan in Manila on March 26, 2026. DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian on Friday (March 27) assured that government assistance to drivers of the transport sector will be continuous amid rising fuel costs. (PNA photo by Yancy Lim)
The government’s cash relief assistance for public utility vehicle drivers, stressing that the program is a legitimate form of social protection for workers hit hard by rising fuel prices.
Speaking at the Kapihan ng Samahang Plaridel press forum in Manila on Friday, Gatchalian said the DSWD is simply carrying out its mandate to assist vulnerable sectors during times of crisis. He underscored that helping struggling transport workers is not only within the department’s role, but also part of the government’s duty to ensure that public funds are used to support those most in need.
Gatchalian said there should be nothing controversial about the government stepping in when livelihoods are threatened by economic shocks. He noted that the P5,000 cash relief assistance is meant to cushion the impact of soaring fuel costs brought about by ongoing geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, which have placed added pressure on PUV drivers already grappling with rising daily expenses.
He emphasized that the funds being released are public money intended to serve the people, especially during difficult times. According to Gatchalian, the DSWD’s more than P60-billion budget under the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situations program exists precisely to respond to urgent needs and provide relief to the most vulnerable sectors.
The DSWD chief also dismissed allegations raised during a Senate hearing that the payout list included ghost beneficiaries or that drivers were asked to submit voting precinct information to qualify for aid. He flatly denied the claims, saying the department never required such data.
Instead, Gatchalian explained that only basic personal details are being collected, including the beneficiary’s name as it appears on the driver’s license, birthday, and address. These, he said, are needed to validate identities, preserve the integrity of the list, and prevent duplication in the distribution process.
He also defended the department’s continued use of physical verification during payouts, even as the government moves toward digitalization. While acknowledging that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. wants public services to increasingly adopt digital systems, Gatchalian said the DSWD must first ensure that its beneficiary database is accurate and free from irregularities before fully transitioning.
The requirement for in-person appearance, he said, directly addresses concerns that some names on the list may no longer belong to active drivers or may include individuals who are already working abroad. By requiring beneficiaries to personally claim their assistance, the department is able to verify that the aid is reaching the right recipients.
Gatchalian ended by assuring transport workers that the government is listening to their concerns and remains committed to extending assistance as long as needed. He said the continued support for the transport sector is in line with the President’s directive and reflects the administration’s resolve to stand by workers facing hardship.
With fuel prices still under pressure and transport operators bearing the brunt of rising costs, the DSWD maintained that the cash relief program is not only justified but necessary to help keep livelihoods afloat.
