The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) is working to complete the distribution of cash aid to public utility vehicle (PUV) drivers by May 20, 2026. The agency reported that over 977,000 PUV drivers have already received their P5,000 cash assistance, with more payouts scheduled for motorcycle taxi and delivery riders.
The DSWD announced on April 29, 2026, that it has extended the cash aid program to cover approximately 1.1 million PUV drivers nationwide. The agency aims to finish the initial round of payouts as soon as possible, with a target completion date of May 20, 2026, according to a report by GMA News Online.
Cash aid distribution progress
The DSWD confirmed that as of late April 2026, 977,000 PUV drivers had received their P5,000 cash assistance. This figure represents nearly 90 percent of the estimated 1.1 million beneficiaries under the program.
The cash aid is part of the government's response to the ongoing fuel price hikes and the implementation of the Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program, which has affected the income of many drivers. The DSWD initially launched the program in March 2026, targeting drivers of jeepneys, buses, UV Express vans, and other public utility vehicles.
The DSWD said in a statement on April 29, 2026, that it is extending the cash aid to 1.1 million PUV drivers and will finish payouts as soon as possible. The agency has been coordinating with the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) to verify the list of qualified beneficiaries.
Remaining beneficiaries
The DSWD said that the remaining 123,000 PUV drivers who have not yet received their cash aid will be prioritized in the coming weeks. The agency is working with local government units (LGUs) and transport cooperatives to expedite the distribution.
The DSWD also announced that payouts for motorcycle taxi drivers and delivery riders will continue. These groups were also included in the cash aid program due to the impact of rising fuel costs on their livelihoods. The DSWD did not specify the number of motorcycle taxi and delivery riders covered under the program, but said they will receive the same P5,000 cash assistance.
"We are doing everything we can to ensure that all qualified PUV drivers receive their cash aid before the May 20, 2026 deadline," a DSWD official said in a briefing on April 29, 2026. "This assistance is crucial for helping our transport workers cope with the rising cost of fuel and other expenses."
Government support for transport sector
The cash aid program is part of a larger government effort to support the transport sector during the transition to modernized public utility vehicles. The DSWD has allocated several billion pesos for the program, with funding drawn from the agency's budget for emergency cash transfers.
The LTFRB has been working with the DSWD to ensure that only legitimate PUV drivers receive the cash aid. The board has provided the DSWD with a list of registered PUV drivers based on their franchise records. The DSWD cross-checks this list with other government databases to prevent fraud and double claiming.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has repeatedly emphasized the need to support transport workers as the government implements the PUV Modernization Program. The cash aid is intended to help drivers transition to new, safer, and more efficient vehicles under the program.
Challenges in distribution
The DSWD has faced several challenges in distributing the cash aid, including log-in errors on its online portal and the verification of driver identities in remote areas. Some drivers have complained of delays in receiving their assistance, with others saying they were unable to register due to technical issues.
The DSWD said it has set up physical payout sites in areas with limited internet access to address these concerns. The agency is also conducting mobile registration drives in coordination with LGUs. As of April 29, 2026, the DSWD reported that no major irregularities have been reported in the distribution process.
Future of the cash aid program
The DSWD has not announced whether a second round of cash aid will be provided after the current distribution is completed. However, the agency said it is monitoring the fuel price situation and evaluating the need for additional support.
Several transport groups have called on the government to extend the cash aid program beyond the initial round, citing the continued high prices of diesel and gasoline. The DSWD said it will make a recommendation to the Office of the President based on the assessment of the program's impact.
The DSWD target to complete the cash aid distribution by May 20, 2026, could accelerate further if the remaining log-in issues and verification challenges are resolved. The agency is urging all qualified PUV drivers who have not yet received their cash aid to coordinate with their local DSWD offices or LTFRB-accredited transport organizations to claim their assistance before the deadline.
The completion of the cash aid distribution is expected to provide some relief to PUV drivers as they continue to face the economic pressures of higher fuel costs and regulatory changes under the modernization program.
