Jauhn Etienne Villaruel

Article (news)

Bea Cuadra

Christopher Sitson

ABS-CBN News

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px;display:block" width="960"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1774571385629viber_image_2026-03-27_07-50-50.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">The DSWD rollout was intended to provide a financial cushion for transport workers grappling with high fuel costs. Bea Cuadra, ABS-CBN News</span></span></span></div><p>MANILA <strong>(UPDATE)</strong> — Thousands of delivery and motorcycle taxi riders filled the Quezon Memorial Circle as early as 4:30 a.m. Friday for the Department of Social Welfare and Development’s (DSWD) cash relief distribution. </p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/3/26/delivery-riders-raise-concerns-over-cash-aid-distribution-in-qc-1412">Delivery riders raise concerns over cash aid distribution in QC</a></div><p>The DSWD rollout was intended to provide a financial cushion for transport workers grappling with high fuel costs. </p><p>While the agency targeted 10,561 beneficiaries for the day, the event was marred by scheduling confusion that left one rider frustrated and empty-handed.</p><p>Rolando Taganas, a delivery rider who arrived before dawn, found his name excluded from the day&#x27;s list despite following earlier announcements.</p><p>&quot;Nagtanong ako kasi ang schedule niya ngayon is March 27 J-Z. Eh ngayon pagpunta namin dito, J-R na lang,&quot; Taganas explained. </p><p>&quot;Kasi wala silang record ng S-Z. Ang schedule na namin is Monday, March 30.&quot;</p><p>Taganas expressed disappointment over the lack of coordination, noting that the misinformation led to wasted time and lost income.</p><p> &quot;Hindi natin alam kung sino may mali rito kaya ang inaano lang namin is correction kasi hindi dapat nagpopost ng ganito para walang naabalang tao,&quot; he added.</p><p>For those who successfully received their assistance, the funds are already intended for bills.</p><p>Jerico Jamot, an MC taxi rider, noted that while the aid helps, he cannot afford to stop working.</p><p>&quot;Malaking bagay kasi bale sa taas ngayon ng gasolina medyo makakabawas din kami… Dun na siguro kasama siguro sa mga expenses pero hahatiin ko din,&quot; Jamot said. &quot;Kailangan sumagad ng byahe para kumita.&quot;</p><div><br/></div><div><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?height=314&amp;href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Freel%2F904164405776633%2F&amp;show_text=false&amp;width=560&amp;t=0" width="560" height="314" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" scrolling="no" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span>Similarly, delivery rider Charlie Jamora plans to use the cash for his child’s education, though he admitted the amount barely covers the overhead of his daily operations.</div><p>&quot;Sa school ng anak ko... okay masaya kaso kung tutuusin talaga kulang eh sa taas ng gasolina,&quot; Jamora shared. </p><p>&quot;Sa hirap ng byahe ngayon halos wala ka na kinikita eh sa taas ng gasolina buti nga merong ganito para pandagdag.&quot;</p><p>The remaining riders, specifically those with surnames starting with S through Z, are scheduled for processing on Monday, March 30. </p><div><br/></div><div><strong>CASH AID DISTRIBUTION IN PASIG</strong></div><div><br/></div><p>Meanwhile, the second day of distributing the P5,000 financial assistance for delivery service riders in Pasig City proceeded early.</p><p>A total of 6,000 delivery service riders of Pasig are on the list of the LTFRB submitted to the DSWD for this Friday’s payout.</p><p>However, some riders, such as George De Leon, experienced confusion and was unable to receive their cash relief assistance.</p><p>“Naging magulo ‘yung naging schedule. Bulacan ako tapos nakita ko ‘yung list ko sa Pasig. Ilang araw na ako naghahanap. Nandito ako kahapon ang sabi delivery rider lang ang makakakuha, so hindi ako pumila kasi MC taxi ako. Pagbalik ko rito alphabetical daw at dapat kahapon pa, at ang name ko raw nasa delivery rider so hindi ako makaka-claim. Ang problema namin, kailan ‘yung reschedule para roon sa unclaimed?” De Leon said.</p><p>De Leon and other riders who had concerns were given the opportunity to speak directly with DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian.</p><p>They were reassured by the agency that they would be accommodated in the special payout.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>SPECIAL PAYOUT DATES FOR UNCLAIMED CASH AID TO BE RELEASED SOON</strong></div><div><br/></div><div><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?height=314&amp;href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Freel%2F1637310690921836%2F&amp;show_text=false&amp;width=560&amp;t=0" width="560" height="314" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" scrolling="no" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span>Gatchalian said that the agency will soon announce a date for a special payout for the cash aid distribution.</div><p>The said payout is intended for drivers who have not yet received their assistance due to various reasons, including those who were unable to come  on their scheduled claim date.</p><p>“Wag ho kayong mag-alala, ‘yung mga nakausap kasi natin nasa listahan sila pero hindi nila nakuha, may iba-ibang rason, mayroong hindi nila alam, mayroong nasa ospital. Huwag kayong mag-alala meron tayong special na araw para sa unclaimed at pati na rin doon sa mga hinabol pa na listahan ng inyong mga kumpanya.”</p><p>The DSWD has not yet announced an exact date for the special payout, but the secretary assured that it will be scheduled as soon as possible.</p><p>“Sa mabilis na panahon ilalathala rin namin iyong mga araw na iyon,” Gatchalian added.</p><div><br/></div><div><br/></div><div><strong>RELATED VIDEO</strong></div><div><strong><br/><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/xNgtBlFwzGI?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span></strong><br/></div>

<p>The DSWD rollout was intended to provide a financial cushion for transport workers grappling with high fuel costs. Bea Cuadra, ABS-CBN News</p>

The DSWD rollout was intended to provide a financial cushion for transport workers grappling with high fuel costs. Bea Cuadra, ABS-CBN News

Thousands of riders flock to Quezon Circle for DSWD cash aid

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Thousands of riders flock to Quezon Circle for DSWD cash aid

Bea Cuadra,

Christopher Sitson,

ABS-CBN News

Published March 27, 2026 08:31 AM PHT

|

Updated March 27, 2026 09:56 AM PHT

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DSWD

Cash relief assistance

Quezon City

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