The Department of Social Welfare and Development in Western Visayas (DSWD-6) has distributed PHP305.63 million in cash relief assistance (CRA) to qualified tricycle and public utility drivers in the region.

DSWD-6 information officer Therese Fely Legaste, in an interview on Friday, said 54,989 tricycle drivers and 6,137 jeepney drivers each received PHP5,000 in CRA.

Legaste said they will continue to hold a special payout for the remaining 2,498 tricycle and 638 jeepney drivers who are still unpaid, or until it is validated that they will no longer claim the assistance.

Jeepney drivers, however, have until Friday noon to claim their financial aid.

“We will try to reach out to them. They can just proceed to our social welfare and development offices in the provinces,” she said.

Meanwhile, the deduplication is also ongoing for the 10,120 target drivers of Transportation Network Companies (TNCs) and Transport Network Vehicle Service (TNVS).

The list of TNC drivers was submitted by the Department of Information and Communications Technology, while the list of TNVS drivers from the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board.

“Their payout will start on May 25. We will also post on the Facebook page of the DSWD-6 our payout sites,” she said, adding that the beneficiaries will also be informed through their respective companies.

Legaste said they will also strategize to ensure that the venue of the payout is accessible or nearest to where the drivers are operating.

The drivers are advised to bring their valid license and water, as well as ensure that they have taken their maintenance medicines, if any. (PNA)