Lolo asks for free e-jeep ride home after failing to get DSWD assistance

A 71-year-old man with a heart condition received an unexpected show of kindness from an e-jeep driver and fellow passengers after he asked for a free ride because he had no money to pay the fare.

The elderly man, who was wearing a face mask and carrying documents, reportedly explained that he had gone to a Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) office in Manila to seek financial assistance but was unable to get help because he did not have a cellphone to book an online appointment.

The encounter was later shared on Threads by user juvy_jorge on November 10, who said the man had gone to the office alone and left feeling rejected after being told that an appointment was required.

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The jeepney driver agreed to let him ride for free, prompting several passengers to give the man cash. One woman also offered advice and words of encouragement.

The incident highlights the difficulties some Filipinos face when government services rely on digital processes, particularly older people who may lack access to devices or the internet.

The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) reported that only 48.8% of Filipino households had internet access at home in 2024, while 67.3% of individuals aged 10 and older had used the internet.

Among those who did not use the internet, 44.7% cited not knowing how to use it as the main reason, while 42.3% pointed to the cost of internet subscriptions, according to the PSA’s 2024 National Information and Communications Technology Household Survey.

The country also had 11.42 million senior citizens aged 60 and older in 2024, accounting for 10.2% of the household population.

DSWD’s Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situations (AICS) program provides temporary financial and material support for people facing emergencies, including medical, transportation, educational, and burial expenses.

The agency said more than 8.2 million Filipinos received assistance through AICS from January to November 2025, exceeding its target of 6.9 million clients.

DSWD’s published AICS guidelines also identify walk-in and referred clients as eligible to seek assistance, subject to assessment by social workers.