DSWD clarifies SAP distribution process for driver-beneficiaries
The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) clarified the distribution process of the emergency subsidy under the Social Amelioration Program (SAP) for drivers of Transportation Network Vehicle Services (TNVS), Motorcycle Taxis (MC), and Public Utility Vehicles (PUVs).
The Department, in coordination with the Department of Transportation (DOTr)-Land Transportation Franchising Regulatory Board (LTFRB), is continuously cross-matching and validating the list provided by LTFRB by batches to ensure that the drivers in the list have not yet received assistance from other government agencies during the enhanced community quarantine. Once the cross-matching of the batch is completed, DSWD will send the master list of cleared beneficiaries to the LTFRB for the preparation of the payroll and DSWD will facilitate the transfer of funds to the Landbank of the Philippines (LBP).
Currently, the Department has submitted the result of its name-matching to the LTFRB and is now awaiting for their payroll and certificates for the next batch of driver-beneficiaries who will receive assistance.
As of May 14, 2020, some 62,028 qualified MC, PUV, and TNVS drivers have already received their emergency subsidy from the SAP. The Department has already deposited more than P496 million cash assistance to MC, PUV, and TNVS drivers’ accounts in the National Capital Region (NCR) through the LBP and G-Xchange, Inc. (GCash). More than 44,000 driver-beneficiaries have already withdrawn their assistance which is equivalent to more than P357 million.
Meanwhile, DSWD also asked for public understanding since the Department wants to guarantee that there will not be any duplication in the official list of SAP beneficiaries.
DSWD also reminded the beneficiaries to check their names in the LTFRB website (http://ltfrb.gov.ph/) before they claim their grants to ensure that they are indeed qualified SAP beneficiaries. To claim their grants, drivers must bring their driver’s license and photocopy of driver’s license with two specimen signatures to LBP.
Aside from bank payout, DSWD and the LTFRB also recently signed an agreement with GCash to facilitate a cashless and contactless cash disbursement method to promote a faster and safer SAP payout process.
If qualified driver-beneficiaries chose the GCash payout method, they will receive an SMS on their GCash registered cellphone and they can claim it from any authorized GCash agents or merchants.
Driver-beneficiaries may also withdraw their subsidies via GCash from any Automated Teller Machines (ATMs) nationwide or use the funds to pay for physical and online transactions. They may also use GCash to pay bills to over 70,000 merchants and billers, buy airtime load, and easily transfer money to other GCash account owners or bank accounts from over 40 financial institutions nationwide.
DSWD will continue to coordinate with LTFRB and other agencies providing assistance during the community quarantine period to ensure that the resources of government will reach the rightful beneficiaries. (DSWD)
