The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) has been “looking at ways” to directly download the fuel subsidy to drivers instead of operators.
The newly approved P1 billion fuel subsidy amid rising oil prices has initially been set to be handed over first through Pantawid Pasada cards to operators. The Pantawid Pasada cards were also used in 2018 and 2019.
“We are looking at ways by which maibaba din at magagamit mismo ng mga tsuper, kung saan sila po iyong bumibili ng krudo, lalung-lalo na iyong tinatawag nating mga traditional jeepney,” LTFRB Chairperson Martin Delgra said in the Oct. 30 Laging Handa briefing.
Delgra said they will also coordinate with the Department of Energy (DOE) to establish the mechanisms for participating oil companies, as well as the list of participating gas stations.
The list of gas stations has yet to be announced. The disbursement will be a one-time grant through the Pantawid Pasda cards in response to the ongoing global oil price hike “without having to disadvantaged iyong commuting public.”
There is no exact date yet for the subsidy distribution, but processes are underway for the release of funds.
“So PUJ [public utility jeepney] sector po ito ang makikinabang dito. But if I may, mayroon pong mga iba’t ibang mga programa naman para sa mga ibang modes of public transport,” Delgra said.
The LTFRB said the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) has already approved the transportation department’s appeal to expand public transportation capacity starting Nov. 4.
“Ito po ay aprubado na for road-based public transport – mga bus, mga jeep, UV express as well as sa ating mga train. Inaayos pa po natin iyong mga preparasyon kasama na po iyong konsultasyon sa ating mga public transport operators and drivers,” he said.
“Magsisimula po ito sa Metro Manila muna and then eventually we will determine and approve the increase in passenger capacity sa ibang rehiyon ng bansa po,” he added. – Report from Karen Villanda/AG-rir
Watch the full interview here:
