By Dean Aubrey Caratiquet
Doubling down on his efforts to help public utility vehicle (PUV) operators and drivers navigate rising fuel prices, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. led the distribution of fuel subsidies to bus operators during his visit at the Parañaque Integrated Terminal Exchange (PITX) on Tuesday.
The President had a conversation with bus operators and acknowledged the impact of triple-digit diesel prices on their operations—ferrying passengers to and from destinations in Metro Manila and other provinces.
P10,000 in financial assistance per bus unit was handed over to bus operators, which can then be received via digital payment platforms like GCash, withdrawn from ATMs, or disbursed through either cheques or cash.
He encouraged the bus operators to work with the government in support of the fuel subsidy initiative, “Kung mayroong maging problema o kung mayroong sa palagay ninyo maging mas magandang sistema o to make it easier, make it faster, make it more convenient for you, for the riding public, sabihin niyo kami.”
“And kung palagay namin ay kaya naming gawin para pagandahin pa ang sistema, please tell us. Dahil ang gusto natin is very—as convenient as possible, as easy as possible, at as quick—‘yung mabilis as possible.”
In his speech, President Marcos Jr. announced the rollout of the nationwide subsidy program on April 6, which will cover all PUV sectors as well as farmers and fisherfolk.
Moreover, the government is looking into the wider use of digital payment systems to expedite the release of subsidies to their intended beneficiaries but will keep traditional modes like cash or cheque payments for those who prefer them.
The distribution of financial assistance to PUV drivers remains the government’s primary mode of intervention to help the transportation sector cope with volatile oil prices arising from ongoing tensions in the Middle East.
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