DOTr starts distribution of Pantawid Pasada cash cards

The Department of Transportation (DOTr) on Tuesday commenced with the simultaneous releasing of the Pantawid Pasada cash cards to franchised jeepney drivers around the country, GMA News' Saleema Refran reported on News To Go.

The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) and Landbank of the Philippines reminded drivers that the P5,000 cash card may only be used for gas and cannot be withdrawn from ATMs.

About 22 drivers were blacklisted from the program after they withdrew the cash.

Landbank admitted that they failed to adequately prepare safeguards to prevent such withdrawal due to the haste with which the program was launched.

To claim the card, jeepney drivers must check the legitimacy of their franchises on the LTFRB website and once confirmed, bring a government-issued ID, a photocopy of the ID, and a 1x1 picture to the designated cash card issuance station of their regions.

Only 1,192 cash cards have been distributed since the program launched despite there being 179,000 legitimate franchise holders in the country. —Rie Takumi/KBK, GMA News