The PHP 5,000 cash relief assistance (CRA) for transport workers affected by fuel price hikes is helping sustain operations, but it is not adjusted to cover the costs it aims to offset. A quick phone survey shows that 96 percent of beneficiaries were able to continue or return to work, indicating that the program is working as intended. However, only 36 percent report that the grant covers their expenses, with most estimating that at least PHP 8,000 would be sufficient. This Policy Note emphasizes that, in practice, the CRA functions less as a targeted fuel subsidy and more as general household support, with 8 in 10 beneficiaries using part of the grant for food amidst declining incomes and persistent food insecurity. With the Department of Social Welfare and Development's Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situations program facing a 45 percent budget cut in 2026, improving targeting and coordination is crucial. The Note finds that the CRA database provides a pathway to connect underserved transport workers to existing social protection programs.
