MANILA — Fuel subsidy for public utility vehicle (PUV) drivers and operators is currently being rolled out and is targeted to be completed by the second quarter of 2025, according to Transportation Undersecretary for Road Transport and Infrastructure Jesus Ferdinand Ortega.
The transport official said on Wednesday that apart from the PUV modes covered under the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board – LTFRB (LTFRB), the one-time cash grant for fuel assistance will also cover tricycle drivers and delivery riders to cushion the impact of increase in fuel prices.
“Maiimplement natin yan through the execution of a Memorandum of Agreement which sees the supervision of the LTFRB for PUV modes, the DILG for tricycles, and the DICT for delivery service riders. Rollout and distribution of subsidies is currently ongoing and is targeted to be completed by the 2nd Quarter of 2025, given that all account details of beneficiaries have been verified correct and finalized.” Usec. Ortega said.
A total of 1,026,306 beneficiaries will receive fuel assistance, including tricycle drivers and delivery riders.
Once distribution has been completed, 286,306 PUV units, 600,000 tricycle drivers, and 140,000 delivery service riders will have received the cash grant, which varies in amount depending on the level of service provided per mode.
Modern Public Utility Jeepney (MPUJ) and Modern UV Express (MUVE) drivers will receive P10,500, while drivers of Traditional Jeeps, Traditional UV Express, Minibuses, Public Utility Buses, and Filcabs shall be eligible to receive P5,000. Lastly, drivers of Tourist Transport Services, Shuttle Services, School Transport, TNVS, and Taxis shall receive P4,500.
Tricycle and delivery riders, on the other hand, are set to receive P1,100 and P2,500 assistance, respectively. (DOTr)
