Following the directive of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) will begin the distribution of PhP5,000 financial assistance to public utility vehicle (PUV) drivers starting next Tuesday, March 17, 2026.
The initiative aims to provide immediate relief to transport workers struggling with the surge in fuel prices driven by ongoing tensions in the Middle East.
During a press briefing at Malacañan Palace, DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian announced that the initial rollout will prioritize tricycle drivers in Metro Manila. The program will quickly expand to include drivers of:
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Jeepneys and UV Express
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Taxis and TNVS
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Buses
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Other transport workers categorized as “individuals in crisis.”
“The President’s directive is clear: use all DSWD programs to protect the poor and the vulnerable,” Secretary Gatchalian stated. “In this situation, they are no longer just drivers; they are individuals in a crisis because their livelihoods are directly threatened. This is where our Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS) program steps in.”
The DSWD is utilizing its 2026 budget, which includes over PhP60 billion allocated for social protection. Of this, PhP30 billion is currently on standby for immediate deployment.
Secretary Gatchalian emphasized a “whole-of-government approach,” noting that the DSWD is working in close coordination with the Department of Transportation (DOTr) and local government units (LGUs) to ensure a seamless distribution process.
Acting DOTr Secretary Giovanni Lopez revealed that President Marcos Jr. moved to bypass the traditional requirement—which usually necessitates oil prices to breach $80 per barrel for one month before subsidies are released.
“The President told us not to wait for those conditions to be met. We cannot let the situation worsen,” Lopez said. The DOTr will continue to complement DSWD efforts through its own Fuel Subsidy and Service Contracting Program (SCP).
The League of Cities of the Philippines (LCP), led by San Juan City Mayor Francis Zamora, has pledged full support for the rollout. Other key officials present at the briefing included Manila City Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso and Pasay City Mayor Imelda Calixto-Rubiano, signaling strong cooperation between the national government and Metro Manila LGUs.
“This is a calibrated, rapid response,” Gatchalian concluded. “As soon as Tuesday, this program will be in full swing until every eligible driver is reached.”
