CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY–Close to a thousand public utility jeepney (PUJs) operators have yet to receive fuel subsidy because of a problem in the transfer of franchise documents, the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board-10 (LTFRB-10) said Friday.
LTFRB-10 Director Aminoden Guros said more than 3,000 PUJ operators in the region are expected to receive the PHP5,000 assistance under the government’s Pantawid Pasada Program (PPP), which is coursed through the LTFRB.
But Guro said at least 30 percent of the recipients cannot claim the subsidy because their franchise permits have yet to be transferred to them by their respective sellers.
Guro said only operators, whose names appear on the franchise papers issued by LTFRB, can avail of the fuel subsidy.
Guro said many of the original PUJ operators are no longer living in the region, while others are physically incapacitated that they are unable to claim the cash card and make the fuel purchase.
He said this concern has already been reported to the LTFRB central office so that arrangements can be made to help the new jeepney operators.
Around 179,000 valid PUJ franchise holders nationwide are beneficiaries of the government’s fuel assistance.
Guro warned that the PPP card is only valid for fuel purchases at participating refilling stations, and any violation on the use of the card, such as using it to buy other products other than fuel, will automatically disqualify the beneficiary from the program and its benefits.
Next year, PUJ operators are expected to receive an increased subsidy from the government. (Jigger Jerusalem/PNA)
