Manila, Philippines – The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has clarified the difference between Cash Relief Assistance vs. DOTr Fuel Subsidy.
The financial assistance prepared by the government for Public Utility Vehicle (PUV) drivers in the country is different.
The DSWD clarified that the cash relief assistance (CRA) was issued under the agency’s Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS) program, providing financial assistance to all PUV drivers affected by the increase in the price of low gasoline caused by tensions in the Middle East.
The first distribution to more than 139,000 tricycle drivers began yesterday, March 17, and is expected to last until tomorrow, March 19, 2026.
Next, jeepney, taxi, bus, UV Express and motorcycle taxi/delivery riders will receive it before the holy week.
This is different from the financial assistance prepared by the Department of Transportation (DOTr).
The Fuel Subsidy of the Department of Transportation (DOTr) sets an additional cost for fuel for operators and PUV drivers in the country regulated by the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB).
The distribution of the DOTr Fuel Subsidy is set to begin in the last week of March.
The Notice of Allocation (NCA) of the DOTr is now awaited so that the payout distribution to operators and PUV drivers can begin.
Meanwhile, the DSWD continues to coordinate with the Local Government Units (LGUs) to ensure that all transport sectors are provided.—Grachella Corazon, Eurotv News