DSWD: No Comelec certification needed to get cash relief assistance

The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) on Saturday said it is not requiring a certification from the Commission on Elections (Comelec) for qualified public utility vehicle (PUV) drivers to get their cash relief assistance.

The DSWD made the clarification following reports that the agency’s cash relief was being associated with other assistance programs, after motorcycle taxi drivers in Cebu City complained that they were required to present a Comelec certification that they were voters.

“We want to stress that we are not requiring certification from Comelec or any other related document to receive any of our services,” DSWD spokesperson and assistant secretary Irene Dumlao said in a statement.

“As to the cash relief assistance, the DSWD wants to hasten the distribution of cash relief assistance, that’s why we only require PUV drivers to present their driver’s licenses upon getting the aid,” Dumlao added.

Only for PUV drivers

Dumlao also clarified that the P5,000 worth of cash assistance under the agency’s Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situations (AICS) program is only provided to qualified PUV drivers amid the rising costs of fuel.

On April 8, the DSWD convene an online “Virtual Financial Service Providers (FSP) Summit” as part of efforts to shift to digital disbursement the second tranche of the cash relief assistance for PUV drivers.

Dumlao noted that the beneficiaries come from a list provided by the local government units for tricycle drivers; Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board for transport network vehicle service (TNVS) drivers; and Department of Information and Technology (DICT) for motorcycle taxi drivers and delivery riders.

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Dumlao also said the list of TNVS beneficiaries was endorsed by the transport network companies to the LTFRB, while the list of motorcycle drivers and delivery riders came from the private express and/or messengerial delivery service to the DICT.

“We always say that the cash relief assistance is for our PUV drivers because we know the effect of rising cost of fuel to their livelihood,” she said.

The spokesperson said other sectors in need of assistance may go to DSWD offices to avail themselves of the cash relief provided under the AICS program.