Manila, Philippines – Starting tomorrow, March 17, 2026, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and the Department of Transportation (DOTr) will begin distributing the P5,000 fuel subsidy for Public Utility Vehicle (PUV) drivers in Metro Manila.
The first to receive the financial assistance will be 139,000 tricycle drivers from 17 Local Government Units (LGUs) in NCR.
According to DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian, the payout will not be distributed simultaneously to 30 identified sites from different LGUs, there will be morning and afternoon batch distribution.
He also reminded beneficiaries not to go if it is not yet the day of their fuel subsidy rollout to avoid delays in the granting of the subsidy.
The agency hopes that the validated list of other public transportation sectors from local governments will soon be provided so that assistance can begin for them.
DOTr Secretary Giovanni Lopez said that the list of TNVS is now complete, MC taxis are also being finalized, and that their office is also working with the DICT for the list of delivery riders.
DSWD also advised drivers to contact their LGU or transport group to confirm if they are among the list of those who will receive financial assistance.
The DSWD, DOTr and Land Transportation and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) assured that all public transportation vehicles in the country will be provided under the DSWD’s Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICIS) program.
This is in accordance with the directive of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., to provide immediate assistance to the most affected sectors amid the petroleum product crisis.
For those who will receive the P5,000 fuel subsidy, you only need to bring the original and photocopy of your license.
In case of any problems or need for assistance, the DSWD will set up a help-desk manned by the agency to assist beneficiaries.
Meanwhile, the agency is also studying the distribution of subsidies to drivers using digital transactions.
The agency is still looking into whether this will facilitate the distribution of cash assistance for the public transportation sector in the country.—Grachella Corazon, Eurotv News