QUEZON CITY, (PIA) –The government is set to release P2.95 billion in fuel subsidy for public utility vehicle (PUV) operators and drivers to cushion the impact of the increase in fuel prices.
A total of 1,640,000 million PUV drivers will receive fuel assistance, including tricycle drivers and delivery riders.
Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista said the Department of Transportation (DOTr), through the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB), will hasten the distribution of cash assistance.
“We will make sure that the assistance to our PUV drivers will be distributed immediately so they can use it, pay for their fuel and improve their daily income,” Secretary Bautista said.
The Fuel Subsidy Program (FSP) is targeted to be implemented by the end of August once the funds from the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) are released. In line with this, the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) and the Department of Transportation (DOTr) are closely coordinating with the DBM for the submission of budgetary documents to ensure expedient release of funds.
The Department of Energy (DOE) must also certify that the average price for crude oil has exceeded $80 in the last three months.
Data from the LTFRB shows 280,000 PUV drivers will receive the one time cash grant from the agency, while 930,000 tricycle drivers and 150,000 delivery service riders will receive the assistance from the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) and Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), respectively.
The transport regulator will distribute P10,000 to Modern Public Utility Jeepney (MPUJ) and Modern UV Express (MUVE) drivers, while drivers of other modes of transport will receive P6,500.
Tricycle and delivery riders, on the other hand, are set to receive P1,000 and P1,200 assistance, respectively.
For the delivery service riders, the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), in coordination with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), is completing and finalizing the master list of beneficiaries which shall be the basis of the LTFRB in distributing the fuel subsidy.
The DICT coordinates with the delivery companies, particularly the PEMEDES operators comprised of service providers delivering courier services.
Around 120,000-150,000 eligible delivery service riders shall be provided with subsidies based on the guidelines and criteria to be released by the DICT.
The beneficiaries shall receive the subsidy through their provided accounts (e.g., e-wallet accounts such as GCash and other bank accounts). Should they also have a Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) card, they may likewise use it to receive the fuel subsidy.
In case the methods of distribution are not applicable, the delivery service beneficiaries may also claim it through over-the-counter withdrawal to designated Land Bank of the Philippines (LBP) branches. (dotr/pia-ncr)
