How drivers can apply for the Social Amelioration Program

The enhanced community quarantine mandated by the government under the Republic Act 11469 or the “Bayanihan to Heal as One Act” has affected millions of day-to-day wage earners, including public transportation drivers. To help and protect them from the economic consequences brought by the lockdown, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), in partnership with the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB), offers financial aid, under the former’s Social Amelioration Program (SAP), exclusively for drivers of public utility jeepneys and buses including P2P bus, UV Express, taxis, Transport Network Vehicle Services (TNVS), school and tourist transport, and motorcycle taxi riders.

The PHP 5,000 to PHP 8,000 worth of financial aid is based on the maximum subsidy per region determined from the region’s minimum wage levels.

Do note that drivers who have claimed other programs like the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) will not be included for the SAP for drivers. Qualified beneficiaries of the financial aid program will receive it twice, one for the month of April 2020 and another one for May 2020. Drivers who bear an expired license not more than six months from the date of expiry are included in the program.

Here’s are the complete requirements needed for claiming:

For drivers with names on the list released by LTFRB

• Driver’s license
• Photocopy of the driver’s license with two signatures below

For eligible drivers who are sending relatives or fellow driver as their representatives

• Signed Letter of Authority of the beneficiary
• Driver’s license of the beneficiary or any government-issued ID
• Photocopy of the beneficiary’s driver’s license or any government-issued ID with two signatures below
• One valid government-issued ID of the representative

For drivers with a confiscated license

• Temporary Operator’s Permit
• One valid government-issued ID bearing photo and signature
• Photocopy of any government-issued ID with two signatures below

For drivers with an expired license until September 30, 2019

• Expired driver’s license
• Photocopy of the expired driver’s license with two signatures below

How to claim the drivers’ financial assistance program:

Step 1: Check the official list of beneficiaries and the schedule of claiming in this link or the LTFRB Facebook page. The list will be updated daily.

Step 2: Once you’ve seen your name on the list, gather all the requirements mentioned above.

Step 3: Go to the nearest Land Bank of the Philippines branch in your area from 8:30 AM to 3 PM and submit the requirements listed above.

Step 4: Wait for the bank attendant to accommodate and process your requirements.

Step 5: Claim the cash.

In the event that the driver’s name is not on the official list released by LTFRB, feel free to call its hotline 1342. For clarifications and more information, beneficiaries may call DSWD hotline 8951-2803.

The cash assistance can be claimed within 30 days from the first day of claiming of SAP was offered or until the aid received by the driver does not surpass the maximum regional subsidy.