By Brian Campued
Following President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s announcement of new initiatives to cushion the impact of surging fuel prices in the country, the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) on Friday said the rollout of P10 per liter fuel subsidy for public utility vehicles (PUVs) will begin in Metro Manila on April 14.
In a Malacañang press briefing, LTFRB Chairperson Vigor Mendoza II said that P1.5 billion will be allocated for the program covering about 142,698 jeepney and UV Express drivers nationwide.
Mendoza said they will conduct a pilot run across several Metro Manila routes this weekend ahead of the full implementation of the fuel discount on Tuesday.
“Ang pasimula lang po dito sa Metro Manila, but with our coordination with the Department of Energy (DOE), Department of Transportation, naplano na ho namin kung paano ito palalawakin sa lalong mabilis na panahon. Kasi sinasabi ng ating Presidente, kailangan naming ibaba ito sa lalong madaling panahon given what’s happening right now on the ground,” he said.
Under the program, PUVs will receive discounts of up to 150 liters per week per vehicle until July 2026.
According to Mendoza, around 14,000 gas stations accredited by the DOE are expected to participate in the program.
Given the enormity of the initiative, Energy Secretary Sharon Garin said a system will be in place to help gas stations track the PUVs’ availment of the subsidy.
“Ang basis po niyan is hindi po iyong driver kung hindi kung anong plate number na mayroon ka para may kaunting safeguards tayo ‘no. And then lahat po na gas stations magkakaroon po ng system, digital na lahat para po ma-confirm nila kung ito po ba ay may natitira pa ba or kung naubos ninyo na,” Sec. Garin said.
“So, mayroon pong system tayo para ma-check na lahat po walang abuso din on the part of the jeepneys and on the part of the gas stations and also na kino-comply din ng LTFRB iyong payment niya,” the DOE chief added.
-jpv
