Manila, March 22 -- The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) will expand the distribution of cash relief assistance to public utility vehicle (PUV) drivers outside the National Capital Region (NCR) after Holy Week to cushion the impact of the oil price hikes on their livelihood.

Assistant Secretary Irene Dumlao said the DSWD is preparing for the next phase of implementation while continuing ongoing payouts in the NCR.

"Ang target po natin ay makapag-umpisa tayo right after Holy Week. Sa ngayon, hindi pa natin nakikita ang kabuuang bilang ng mga drivers sa iba't ibang panig ng ating bansa (Our target is to start right after Holy Week. Right now, we have not yet seen the total number of drivers in different parts of our cou...