MANILA – Transport network vehicle service (TNVS) drivers are reportedly losing between PHP500 and PHP700 daily due to rising fuel prices amid the ongoing Middle East conflict, a transport group said.

“Umaabot na po sa P500 to P700 ang nawawala araw-araw dahil sa patuloy na pagtaas ng gasolina at diesel dito sa ating bansa,” Laban TNVS president Jun de Leon said in a Balitanghali interview.

Although the financial assistance provided by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) is helpful, De Leon said the PHP5,000 aid remains insufficient to cover daily expenses.

“Bagama’t kulang ito, pero tatanggapin po natin ‘yan para kahit papaano, may pandagdag gastos po ang ating pamilya,” he said.

The DSWD began distributing cash aid on Tuesday, targeting about 27,000 TNVS drivers in the National Capital Region. Drivers who are not on the list were advised by DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian to coordinate directly with their transport network companies instead of going to payout centers. De Leon said their office in Quezon City is available to assist affected drivers.

The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) said the beneficiary list was based on data submitted by transport network companies, including Grab, Utol, Toktok, Pure Ride, Maxim, Joyride, InDrive, Hirna, Go Cab, Angcars, Unlala, Hail, PeekUp, and Para Express.

De Leon added that some TNVS drivers are quitting after taking home as little as PHP300 despite working 18-hour days. He is also pushing to cap commission rates of transport network companies at 10 percent, noting that some currently charge up to 30 percent.

“Para naman kahit papano kahit walang dagdag pamasahe eh kumita nang maayos ang ating mga samahan ng mga TNVS driver,” he said.