The financial burden on Cebuano transport workers eased significantly this week as the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Field Office 7 rolled out a massive cash injection for the local transport sector. More than 2,700 public utility jeepney (PUJ) drivers across various districts of Cebu received a one-time ₱5,000 cash grant to buffer the intense economic shock of volatile global fuel prices. Driven by ongoing tensions in the Middle East, escalating gasoline costs have threatened the daily livelihoods of thousands of drivers who keep the metropolitan area moving. Held at multiple high-capacity regional hubs, this coordinated relief distribution marks a critical intervention by the national government to stabilize the volatile transport landscape in Central Visayas this May 2026.
A Coordinated, Multi-City Distribution Network
To safely execute the massive payout without causing urban gridlock, DSWD-7 strategically mobilized simultaneous distribution sites across Cebu City, Liloan, Lapu-Lapu, Mandaue, and Cordova. Among the thousands of drivers who qualified, the municipality of Liloan accounted for 848 beneficiaries, while 968 drivers from various districts of Cebu City converged at a major local mall and the Mambaling Covered Court. Local gymnasiums, such as the Opao Gymnasium in Mandaue, were equipped with medical support teams from the Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office to ensure driver safety during the crowded queues. The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) 7 led the initial ground verification, strictly cross-referencing each driver's name against official operator submissions to ensure the funds reached active operators behind the wheel.
Presidential Directive Against Global Inflation
This localized financial rollout forms a key pillar of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situations (AICS) program, specifically repurposed to address the 2026 energy strains. By deploying advanced BBM Serbisyo QR codes at the payout tables, administrative staff seamlessly verified National ID records, drastically cutting down waiting times for tech-savvy drivers. For beneficiaries lacking smartphones, on-site social workers manually processed applications to guarantee that no legitimate transport worker was left behind. DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian previously issued directives to local field offices to treat the transport sector with utmost care and compassion, acknowledging that PUJ drivers represent the backbone of the region’s daily economic productivity.
Last Chance for Unclaimed Cash Subsidies
For drivers who missed the primary multi-day distribution window due to scheduling conflicts or paperwork delays, DSWD-7 has announced a final extension. Unclaimed ₱5,000 grants can still be collected by visiting the agency’s Crisis Intervention Section Office located at the corner of M.J. Cuenco and General Maxilom Avenues in Barangay Carreta, Cebu City. To successfully claim the subsidy, eligible drivers must personally present their original professional driver’s license, a photocopy bearing three wet signatures, and a copy of their LTFRB confirmation text message. While a potential second batch of beneficiaries is currently being compiled by transport operators for LTFRB endorsement, authorities urge all listed first-batch drivers to secure
