Nearly 2,500 public utility jeepney (PUJ) drivers in the City of Manila began receiving financial assistance today as part of the government’s ongoing relief efforts for the transport sector.

A total of 2,488 qualified drivers are slated to receive ₱5,000 each through the Department of Social Welfare and Development’s (DSWD) Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS) program, as reported by RH Boy Gonzales.

The initiative is being carried out in coordination with the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB).

Streamlined Distribution Process

The distribution, which commenced before 7:00 AM today, March 25 at the Kartilya ng Katipunan, was designed for efficiency.

To prevent overcrowding and ensure a smooth flow, the DSWD partnered with the Manila Department of Social Welfare and Manila Traffic and Parking Bureau (MTPB) to implement an organized system:

• Alphabetical Scheduling: Beneficiaries are processed based on the first letter of their surnames.

• Validation Gates: Drivers undergo immediate validation upon entry before proceeding to the designated waiting areas.

• Rapid Disbursement: Once a driver’s name is verified on the master list, the ₱5,000 cash is counted, signed for, and released on the spot.

Support for Unlisted Drivers

For drivers whose names do not appear on the initial payroll, a dedicated help desk has been established across from the Universidad de Manila (UDM).

Unlisted drivers can register there for validation; once their records are verified via the system, they are reintegrated into the queue to receive their aid.

Officials also clarified that transport workers from other sectors, such as TNVS drivers who were scheduled for distribution yesterday but failed to attend, remain eligible. Their names stay on the list, and the local social welfare office has assured that they will still receive their government assistance.