The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) will shift to digital payments for aid distribution to transport drivers following the death of a ride-hailing driver during an in-person disbursement in Quezon City on April 18.
Social Welfare Secretary Rex Gatchalian said Monday, April 20, that the move will take effect once they have verified the names of drivers submitted by the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB).
Gatchalian explained that the face-to-face distribution was necessary to ensure the legitimacy of the drivers.
“Sa stage na ito we are doing manual [verification] para masigurado na physical at totoo ang driver na driver talaga siya,” he said.
Gatchalian added that the DSWD will use the existing e-wallets of the ride-hailing drivers.
While the department was able to distribute ₱5 billion in cash aid to more than 1 million transport drivers, this faced backlash for allegedly forcing recipients to line up under extreme heat.
The victim’s brother said the heat may have caused him a heart attack.
Meanwhile, the agency extended assistance to the victim’s family.
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