CEBU CITY — The Department of Social Welfare and Development Field Office 7 launched a four‑day cash relief payout on June 15, 2026, at SM Seaside City Cebu Skyhall, targeting 32,149 transport network company drivers and delivery workers. Each beneficiary receives ₱5,000 to offset income losses caused by rising fuel prices. The distribution runs through June 18 and covers Grab Philippines drivers.
The payout encompasses Move It motorcycle taxi riders, Grab Express delivery personnel, and Grab My Taxi drivers across Central Visayas. The assistance forms part of the government's Unified Package of Livelihoods, Industry, Food, and Transport framework. This strategy delivers immediate stop‑gap interventions to sectors heavily impacted by the Middle East conflict and its effect on global oil prices.
Relief for 32,149 Transport Workers
An initial 6,338 beneficiaries received their cash aid on the first day alone. DSWD‑7 Regional Director Shalaine Marie Lucero personally oversaw the distribution to ensure an orderly and efficient process. She emphasized that the staggered schedule was designed to accommodate thousands of drivers while maintaining a smooth flow at the venue.
The payout schedule runs from 6 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily, with beneficiaries advised to coordinate with their respective companies for verification. Claimants must present their original driver's license, a photocopy with three wet signatures, and their e‑verification result. The agency strictly enforces that only listed beneficiaries may claim the assistance in person.
A Swift Response to Rising Fuel Costs
The cash relief directly responds to the directive of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to provide timely support to transport workers affected by global economic challenges. Fuel prices have risen sharply due to geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, squeezing the daily earnings of drivers who rely on the road for their livelihoods. The ₱5,000 grant serves as a social safety net during this crisis.
Move It rider Jeno Ardines shared that his daily take‑home pay has dropped from around ₱1,500 to just ₱600 or ₱700. The subsidy, he noted, would last about 10 days but was still deeply appreciated. Another rider, Arnulfo Ancajas, said the cash aid would immediately go toward rice and his children's educational expenses, praising the efficient system that allowed him to claim in under an hour.
A Broader Safety Net for the Transport Sector
The ₱5,000 cash relief is implemented through the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situations program, which serves as a social safety net for those experiencing unexpected economic hardship. The DSWD‑7 has processed a total of 41,289 transport worker beneficiaries since the rollout of payouts began on May 28. Grab Philippines alone accounted for over 37,000 served beneficiaries.
The broader UPLIFT framework channels support across livelihoods, industry, food, and transport. By cushioning the impact of fuel price volatility, the government aims to keep drivers on the road, sustain mobility services, and protect household incomes. The June 15–18 payout ensures that thousands more Cebuano transport workers receive the immediate relief they need.
