MANILA, Philippines — In an effort to bypass long lines and speed up the distribution of financial relief, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) is transitioning to digital payouts for the second tranche of cash assistance for public utility vehicle (PUV) drivers.
DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian announced on Tuesday that while the first round of payouts was done manually to ensure strict “Know Your Customer” (KYC) verification, the agency is now ready to leverage technology for subsequent distributions.
To kickstart this transition, the DSWD is convening a Virtual Financial Service Providers (FSP) Summit on Wednesday, April 8, 2026. The agency is inviting e-money issuers, mobile wallet operators, and fintech providers to discuss the logistics of real-time, account-based transfers.
“The first round… was done manually to make sure that we verified and validated that the drivers were real drivers,” Gatchalian explained. “For the succeeding rounds, we will go with digital payouts for PUV drivers who have e-wallets—including TNVS, motorcycle taxis, and delivery service drivers.”
The move toward digital disbursement is driven by three main factors:
- Speed and Accessibility: Digital transfers allow drivers to receive funds instantly without leaving their routes to visit distribution centers.
- Lower Costs: Shifting away from manual distribution reduces the “administrative and operational costs” for the government.
- Legal Compliance: The initiative aligns with the E-Governance Act (RA 12254) and the Ease of Doing Business Act (RA 11032), which mandate the digitalization of government transactions.
This digital shift comes as a direct response to the “oil shock” triggered by the Middle East conflict, which has pushed local diesel prices to unprecedented levels. Under the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situations (AICS) program, eligible drivers receive a one-time relief payment of ₱5,000.
Assistant Secretary Johannes Paulus Acuña, DSWD Chief Information Officer, assured the public that while the system is going digital, strict safeguards will remain in place. The agency is currently looking to accredit FSPs that can guarantee secure, real-time fund disbursement to verified beneficiaries.
Financial technology providers interested in joining the summit or the accreditation process can access the virtual meeting link via a QR code posted on the official @dswdserves Facebook page.
As the country faces a prolonged energy emergency, the DSWD’s transition to digital payouts represents a critical step in modernizing the social safety net to provide more timely support to the transport sector.