Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) Chairman Atty. Vigor Mendoza on Tuesday assured that the agency is working to ensure that all Transport Network Vehicle Service (TNVS) drivers will receive financial assistance before the Holy Week.

In an interview on DZRH Balansyado, Mendoza said that despite encoding errors by Transport Network Companies (TNCs), particularly in their drivers’ personal data, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) is working double time to release their payouts.

As the nationwide implementation of financial assistance will begin following Holy Week, the LTFRB aims to provide financial support to all TNVS drivers in Metro Manila before then, the chairman said, adding that the agency officials and staff will also be visiting home in their respective provinces during the break.

“Nationwide implementation na po kami after Holy Week, sabi ng DSWD. So I guess we’d like to finish itong mga natitira na hindi nakatanggap within this period of time, ‘yung short period of time na ‘to,” he said.

Moreover, the government plans to charter PUVs for free rides so that drivers may be paid fairly, Mendoza said.

The agency is currently determining which routes across the country will implement the free rides, backed by a ₱700-million fund, although he said the LTFRB will seek additional funding.