Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Rex Gatchalian personally met with Jaime Ricafrente, a senior citizen jeepney driver whose emotional plea went viral after he was excluded from the government’s initial cash relief assistance list.

The meeting followed widespread attention on social media after Ricafrente’s situation was featured on DZRH News on Wednesday. In the report, he was seen in tears upon discovering that his name was missing from the roster of beneficiaries.

Gatchalian reassured the public and Ricafrente that the department is moving swiftly to rectify the situation and provide the necessary support.

According to Gatchalian, the department is currently undergoing a rigorous verification process to ensure that government funds are allocated to the correct individuals. He emphasized the importance of physical verification to prevent ghost beneficiaries or duplication.

“Personal po namin inaabot isa-isa. Gusto namin personal namin makita yung tao pati yung lisensya. Kapag wala dito sa Pilipinas, kapag patay na, hindi namin bibigyan,” Gatchalian explained.

The Secretary further noted that the scrutiny of the list is a directive from President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. The administration’s goal is to transition from one-time handouts to a more sustainable support system for vulnerable sectors, including transport workers.

“Itong tulong pinansyal, kaya namin pinupulido yung listahan, ang gusto ng presidente natin, ni president BBM, gusto niya hindi lang isang beses kundi habang tumatagal kailangan tuloy-tuloy rin kaming tumutulong,” Gatchalian added.