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Missing names on the beneficiary list - a primary concern of Filipino drivers when seeking cash relief assistance from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).
The concern began during the distribution of cash relief assistance to tricycle drivers in Metro Manila. The complaints reached DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian, which is why he clarified that if the legitimate driver doesn’t find his name on the list, he has to coordinate with the respective Local Government Unit (LGU).
“Kung sakaling hindi niyo matagpuan ang inyong pangalan sa listahan pero lehitimo kayong driver, ang gagawin niyo lang, magpupunta lang tayo sa inyong local government unit at ia-apela natin doon,” he said during the cash assistance rollout on tricycle drivers
[“Just in case you didn’t find your name in the list, but you’re a legitimate driver, the only thing you have to do is to go to your respective Local Government Unit (LGU) and file an appeal.”]
A similar concern arose during the distribution of ₱5,000 aid for Transport Network Vehicle Services (TNVS) drivers.
Several legitimate drivers didn’t find their names on the list. Laban TNVS President Jun de Leon also revealed this concern in an exclusive interview on Hataw Balita Ngayon.
“Alas-4 lang tayo po natulog dahil hinahanap din po natin ang pangalan ng ating driver at wala po sa listahan,” he said
[“I slept at 4:00 AM, looking for the names of our fellow drivers, and they are not included in the list.”]
The DSWD has also received reports where drivers blame the agency staff due to the same concern.
In response, Secretary Gatchalian mentioned not to vent their frustrations to the DSWD personnel, as the agency is not responsible for creating the masterlist of claimants.
“Hindi ho DSWD ang gumawa ng listahan,” he said
[“The DSWD didn’t create the list.”]
He further clarified that the transport network vehicles are responsible for that and advised the drivers to approach their respective companies regarding their concerns.
“Kaya kung meron kayong dapat puntahan ngayon or kung meron kayong dapat singilin ngayon, singilin natin mismo yung mga TNC niyo o yung mga kumpanya niyo na may hawak sa inyo,” he added
[“So, if there is someone to approach or hold accountable, it should be your respective TNCs or companies.”]
Sec. Gatchalian assured drivers that this will not be the first and last chance to receive the aid.
“Hindi naman ho ito ang una at huling araw ng payout. Katulad ng nangyari sa tricycle drivers last week, pwede tayong mag-schedule ng special payout day,” he said
[“This is not the first and last day of payout. Similar to what happened to tricycle drivers last week, we can set a schedule for a special payout day.”]
The lists of beneficiaries, which came from the TNCs, also underwent the verification of the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) to ensure that no drivers would receive duplicate assistance.
With reports from Benedict Samson
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The Philippine National Police (PNP) is intensifying its forces by conducting road safety and security operations. Based on the report of the UNTV Correspondent Lea Ylagan, the PNP will deploy over 50,000 personnel nationwide. As of March 23, 2026, a total of 59, 416 personnel are set on duty to ensure the safe vacation experience during the week-long holiday.
The PNP Highway Patrol Group (PNP HPG) plans to deploy 714 personnel in 179 locations to monitor and ensure a safe travel experience for motorists and commuters.
“Starting April 1, 2026, PNP Highway Patrol Group (HPG) units will be stationed in 179 strategic locations, supported by 92 patrol teams and 714 personnel dedicated to ensuring safer journeys for motorists and travelers,” according to the PNP
The PNP advises motorists to ensure that they are in good condition for long-distance travel to avoid a road crash.
Based on the report from April 1 to May 31, 2024, the PNP recorded a total of 31,992 road crash victims. In 2025, in the same period, a record decline to 30,516.
To reduce recorded accidents in 2026, motorists are strongly advised to consider the following safety measures provided by the PNP:
Have a safe week-long holiday vacation, mga kasangbahay!
The government could lose up to ₱200 billion in revenue once President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. uses his emergency powers to suspend the oil excise tax, according to Atty. Dondanon Galera, BIR Head Revenue Executive Assistant of Excise Large Taxpayer Service
The revenue loss could potentially leave several government projects unfunded.
“So dahil mawawalan tayo ng ganong kalaking halaga, hindi rin mapopondohan yung ibang proyekto ng gobyerno,” Atty. Galera said
[“Because we could lose that large amount, other government projects would also go unfunded.”]
The possible revenue loss is based on the previous collection of the Bureau of Customs (BOC) because this agency is responsible for the collection of the oil excise tax, since a large portion of the oil stock in the Philippines is imported.
The suspension of the oil excise tax is effective for six months, but it could be extended through a joint resolution issued by Congress.
According to Atty. Galera, once the suspension takes effect, it would only apply to the upcoming oil imports.
Products that are currently available in the market are not applicable under the effect of suspension.
The BIR assures to issue clear regulations on timing and inventory, particularly for oil stocks that have already been imported and paid to ensure organized records and avoid confusion.
With reports from Evan Alvarez
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The Land Transportation Office (LTO) has announced that it will conduct random drug testing at various bus terminals nationwide. This measure aims to ensure the safety and security of passengers travelling to their respective destinations amid the long holiday.
According to the Traffic & Safety Management Department, Mr. Jerome Rodriguez encourages passengers to report drivers who fail to focus on the road.
“If nakita nila si driver, ito di masyadong nagpe-pay attention sa kalsada, they are using their cellphones, we encourage them [passengers] to capture these moments and report it to the LTO,” he said
[“If they observe a driver who is not paying attention to the road, they are using their cellphones, we encourage them [passengers] to capture these moments and report it to the LTO.”]
The LTO will also deploy personnel to monitor various thoroughfares to intercept “colorum” vehicles. Rodriguez believes that the presence of LTO at checkpoint areas may help to prevent those vehicles from proceeding with their trips.
“As a preventive measure, yun lang pong makita ang mga checkpoints namin, definitely will prevent them to travel with a violation, na parang chismis lang yan, kakalat yan sigurado, and then yung iba, hindi na babiyahe pa,” he said
[“As a preventive measure, once they see our checkpoints, definitely will prevent them to travel with a violation, it’s like a gossip, it will spread for sure, and then the others will not proceed anymore.”]
Rodriguez also noted to stop trying to use their colorum vehicles on their trips if they don’t want to face such consequences.
“Para po sa mga babiyahe na nagtatangkang magbiyahe as a colorum, please don’t kasi nga po you’ll face a criminal offense at the same time, a fine and an impounding,”
[“To those attempting to proceed using their colorum vehicles, please don’t because you’ll face a criminal offense, at the same time, a fine and an impounding.”]
With reports from Lea Ylagan
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The Philippine National Police (PNP) has intensified police visibility by planning to deploy 59, 416 security personnel during the long holiday.
Over 50,000 personnel will be stationed to monitor 3,277 tourist destinations nationwide. According to the Directorate for Operation Tourist and Safety Protection Section Chief PCPT. Amie Tiu, this measure aims to ensure a peaceful vacation.
“The PNP has intensified or maximized the police visibility through full patrol and establishment of assistance desk and coordination with our local government agency and tourism stakeholders,” she said
The monitoring duty of PNP will also be present in churches and transport hubs, including terminals, seaports, and airports.
The PNP Highway Patrol Group (PNP HPG) will also conduct an inspection in buses to check its readiness for long-distance travel. The HPG also reminds motorists to exercise caution when driving to prevent road accidents. According to PNP HPG, there are 35,900 reported accidents recorded from March 30 to May 1, 2025; many of these involved motorcycle riders due to overspeeding and human error.
With reports from Lea Ylagan
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