By Brian Campued
In line with the administration’s whole-of-government approach to cushion the impact of rising oil prices brought by tensions in the Middle East, the Department of Transportation (DOTr) on Tuesday began distributing fuel subsidies to operators and drivers of public utility vehicles (PUVs).
According to DOTr, the P2.5 billion Fuel Subsidy Program is expected to benefit around 245,066 drivers as well as operators of 1,180,783 PUV units nationwide.
Beneficiaries include drivers and operators of modern and traditional jeepneys, taxis, transport network vehicle service (TNVS), buses, P2P buses, school buses, Filcabs, UV Express, tricycles, and delivery services.
At the Parañaque Integrated Terminal Exchange (PITX), President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., along with DOTr Sec. Giovanni Lopez, led the distribution of P10,000 for each bus unit, given through fuel subsidy cards, bank transfer, manager’s check, cash payout, or e-wallets.
Drivers are also entitled to P5,000 each under the program, distributed via cash or e-wallets.
For Tuesday’s rollout, Lopez said they were looking at distributing fuel assistance to around 101,000 PUV units.
“So we’re talking of 101,886 units po and about 62,659 operators. This is nationwide, and the amount to be distributed as part of fuel subsidy is more or less P460,575,500.00,” the Transportation chief said.
Aside from buses, other PUV operators and drivers will get the following amounts:
- Minibus operators – P9,000
- Minibus drivers – P5,000
- P2P bus operators – 10,000
- P2P bus drivers – P5,000
- School transport operators – P5,000
- School transport drivers – P5,000
- Taxi operators – P2,000
- Taxi drivers – P5,000
- Modern jeepney operators – P10,000
- Modern jeepney drivers – P1,500
- Traditional jeepney operators – P5,000
- Traditional jeepney drivers – P1,500
- Filcab operators – P5,000
- Filcab drivers – P1,500
- TNVS operators and drivers – P1,500
- Modern UV Express operators – P10,000
- Modern UV drivers – P5,000
- Traditional UV Express operators – 5,000
- Traditional UV Express drivers – P5,000
Subsidies for tricycles and delivery services would begin after the Holy Week, the DOTr said.
“Sisiguraduhin po namin na ang lahat ng transport groups, kasama na rin po ang mga operator, tsuper, mga commuters, ay makakaasa sila na tutulong po ang gobyerno, makakaasa po na gagawa pa kami ng mga iba’t ibang inisyatibo upang sa ganoon maibsan natin yung epekto ng kaguluhan sa Gitnang Silangan,” Lopez said.
“Lagi nating isipin na kaagapay po natin parati ang Pangulo, ang DSWD, ang DOTr, ang lahat ng ahensiya ng gobyerno sa mga panahong ito.”
Meanwhile, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) also began distributing P5,000 cash aid for TNVS drivers in Metro Manila under the Assistance for Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS).
DSWD Sec. Rex Gatchalian said jeepney drivers will get their cash aid on March 25, service delivery riders on March 26-27, and motorcycle taxi drivers on March 28.
The rollout of cash aid for regions and provinces across the country will begin after the Holy Week.
“Ang gusto ng Pangulo ay whole-of-government na, kaya sabay-sabay na kaming gumagalaw. This week, magsasabay na yung fuel subsidy ng DOTr, at cash relief assistance ng DSWD,” Social Welfare Secretary Rex Gatchalian said.
In addition to cash assistance, other government-led interventions include the continuous operations of the Love Bus “Libreng Sakay” Program, 50% fare discounts in MRT-3 and LRT-2, as well as two-month toll discount for PUVs and cargo trucks from major expressways.
Lopez likewise announced that the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) has recommended a P1 roll-on/roll-off (RoRo) terminal fee for Class 3 and 4 vehicles transporting raw and unprocessed agricultural products.
“Ngayong araw po, merong board meeting for the approval of this recommendation of PPA at klami naman po ay kampante na aaprubahan ito ng PPA board,” he said in a press conference, adding that the discount will take effect on April 15 once approved by the PPA board.
Discounts in airport fees, such as terminal and navigation charges, will also be implemented in airports operated by the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) starting April 1.
“This is for three months and will be subject for review… yung sa atin palang RoRo na nasabi ko, that will be effective for six months naman,” the DOTr chief said.
-av
