By Brian Campued
As the government continues to find ways to ease the impact of rising fuel prices on Filipinos, particularly the public transport sector, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. announced that public utility vehicle (PUV) drivers will get a P10 per liter discount on petroleum products starting next week.
In a video message Thursday, the President shared updates following the Unified Package for Livelihoods, Industry, Food, and Transport (UPLIFT) Committee meeting on Tuesday.
According to Marcos, the rollout of the P10/L fuel subsidy will be gradual, starting with Metro Manila before being expanded nationwide.
“Sisimulan muna natin ito sa NCR (National Capital Region) sa susunod na linggo, una sa Commonwealth. Palalawakin natin ito sa mga susunod na araw sa Quezon Avenue, España, Zapote, A. Bonifacio, Rizal [Avenue], at Marcos Highway hanggang mapalawak natin ito sa buong bansa,” he said.
The subsidy will cover up to 150 liters per week per vehicle and will be implemented for three months.
However, PUV drivers may only avail of the discount in accredited gasoline stations monitored by the Department of Energy (DOE).
“Mahalaga ito dahil hindi lang transport cost ang tinutugunan natin, pinipigilan din ang pagtaas ng presyo ng pagkain at iba pang pangunahing bilihin,” Marcos said.
Service contracting scheme
In the same video, the Chief Executive also announced that the Service Contracting Program (SCP), which is set to begin April 15, will be implemented during off-peak hours to ensure smooth and uninterrupted public transport across the country.
Under the SCP, the government will pay PUV operators and drivers P40–P100 per kilometer, on top of their regular fare income, while commuters will receive at least a 20% fare discount.
“Ang mga ruta ay nakatuon sa mga lugar na may koneksyon sa tren at pangunahing mga bus route upang mas maging mas maayos, mabilis, at maaasahan ang biyahe,” the President said, adding that the program is expected to benefit around 50,000 PUVs, 1,000 operators, and up to 15 million commuters nationwide.
Contracted PUVs will also be equipped with GPS monitors to track their services.
“Ginagawa natin itong lahat para manatiling maayos ang takbo ng inyong araw-araw na buhay. At bawat desisyon na ginagawa natin ay may iisang layunin lamang—maprotektahan ang Pilipino,” the President underscored. (with report from Kenneth Paciente / PTV News)
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