By Brian Campued
The government is studying the recommendation of the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) to roll out a P20-per-liter fuel subsidy for public utility vehicles (PUVs) for one month amid persistent higher fuel prices.
During the Malacañang press briefing Tuesday, Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said that Department of Transportation (DOTr) Secretary Giovanni Lopez is discussing the details of LTFRB’s proposal with the Office of the Executive Secretary.
This, as the P10-per-liter fuel discount for PUV drivers has been extended until the end of August while the government studies proposals to expand assistance for affected workers in the transport sector.
“Sa ngayon po, patuloy pa rin po—extended po hanggang katapusan ng August ang P10 per liter fuel discount or subsidy. So, pag-uusapan po ng Office of the Executive Secretary, DOTr, at ng economic team para po mas magkaroon ng konkreto at [detalyadong] solusyon patungkol po diyan,” Castro said.
She added that the government is also considering possible measures to support the sector, including another round of cash assistance, especially amid proposals to increase PUV fares raised by various transport groups.
“Ang sabi naman ng Pangulo, sana ay hindi makaapekto kung magkakaroon man ng pagtaas ng pamasahe o hindi magkakaroon ng taas pamasahe, ayaw po sanang makaapekto ito sa ating mga commuters dahil alam po natin ang epekto ng krisis sa Middle East. Pero ito po ay pag-uusapan,” Castro said.
The LTFRB said it will invite representatives from the Department of Economy, Planning and Development (DEPDev), the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), and the Department of Energy (DOE) in its next hearing on fare increase petitions by various transport groups.
The Palace official also urged transport groups to avoid inconveniencing commuters through transport strikes but assured them that the government hears their concerns.
“Ang nais ng pamahalaan ay pag-uusap, negosasyon, makita kung ano ang daing,” she said.
“Kayo naman po ay nadidinig ng gobyerno, mas maganda na magkaroon ng matahimik, maayos na dayalogo. Hindi yung lagi tayong nasa daan dahil hindi po siya ang sagot sa ating mga isyu sa ngayon.”
Transport group Manibela is set to hold a three-day transport strike on Aug. 10 to 12.
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