DSWD 7 continues cash aid payout for transport, delivery workers

CEBU CITY, Philippines — Hundreds of transport and delivery workers in Central Visayas received government assistance on Thursday, June 4, as the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Field Office 7 resumed the distribution of Cash Relief Assistance (CRA) to beneficiaries who were unable to claim it during earlier payouts in Cebu City.

The payout, held at a local mall, catered to beneficiaries from the Transport Network Companies (TNC), Transport Network Vehicle Services (TNVS), and Private Express and/or Messenger Delivery Services (PEMEDES) sectors who were unable to claim their assistance during earlier distributions.

The agency conducted initial payouts for these sectors from May 28 to 30 and June 2 to 3, 2026.

READ: DSWD eyes digital disbursement of cash relief aid to PUV drivers

The initiative forms part of the government’s continuing response to the economic impact of rising fuel prices triggered by the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.

Under the program, each beneficiary receives a one-time cash grant of P5,000 to help offset transportation and operational expenses affected by the fuel price hikes.

Drivers receive aid

Among the recipients were food delivery rider Ruperto Torcende and motorcycle taxi driver Kevin Mangubat, both of whom said the assistance would help ease their financial burdens.

Torcende, 56, from Barangay Capitol Site in Cebu City, has been working as a food delivery rider for six years. He said he plans to budget the cash assistance carefully and spend it gradually to help cover his daily fuel expenses.

“Dili lalim ang ma-food delivery rider ka niya pamilyado ka, niya bisag uwan-init naa ka sa gawas para sa imohang pamilya,” Torcende said when asked about the challenges of working as a delivery rider.

(It’s not easy being a food delivery rider, especially when you have a family to support. Rain or shine, you’re out on the road providing for your family.)

He added that he hopes the national government will continue to recognize and support workers in their sector.

“Unta tagaan mi ug pagtagad ug katungod hilabi na kay uwan-init ang kining among trabaho, kay dako man pud mi’g tabang labi na sa mga tawo nga dili makagawas-gawas. Niya makig-atubang sila tanang problema, dili kay sa usa lang.”

(I hope the government gives us attention and recognizes our rights because our work requires us to be out in all kinds of weather. We also provide significant help, especially to people who cannot leave their homes, and we face many different challenges every day, not just one.)

READ: Unclaimed P5K aid for PUJ drivers still available today May 15 — DSWD-7

Meanwhile, Mangubat, 34, from Lapu-Lapu City, has been working as a motorcycle taxi driver for the past five years.

He admitted feeling disappointed after learning that his name was not included in the initial list of beneficiaries. However, he later felt relieved upon learning that additional payout schedules would be conducted, allowing him to receive the assistance.

“May na lang ni pangpuno gasolina ug makatabang pangpalit school supplies kay hapit na baya abli sa klase,” he said when asked how he plans to use the money.

(This will help cover fuel expenses and buy school supplies, especially since the opening of classes is just around the corner.)

Payouts across sectors

On June 3, a total of 3,499 delivery service drivers from 27 PEMEDES operators across Cebu Province received cash assistance, according to DSWD Field Office 7.

Aside from delivery workers, the agency reported in a separate press release that 4,527 Public Utility Jeepney (PUJ) drivers had already received their cash relief assistance as of May 25, 2026, out of the program’s target of 4,848 beneficiaries.

Earlier CRA payouts for tricycle drivers were conducted on April 8 for beneficiaries in cities and from April 16 to 18 for those in municipalities across Central Visayas.

DSWD 7 will conduct another round of payouts for TNC, TNVS, and PEMEDES beneficiaries from June 15 to 18, 2026.

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