By Katrina Gracia Consebido
Transport workers and farmers will receive P4 billion fuel assistance from the national government, according to Department of Budget and Management (DBM) Secretary Amenah Pangandaman.
“As directed by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., this administration will continue providing fuel subsidies to our kababayan, especially in the most vulnerable sectors– public transport and agriculture,” Pangandaman said.
“Kagagaling lang po natin sa pandemya. Naiintindihan po natin na maraming naaapektuhang drivers and even our farmers and fisherfolks,” she added. “We are banking on our transport and agriculture sector to boost economic recovery. And so we need to provide them the help and boost they need.”
In the 2023 national budget, qualified public utility vehicles (PUVs), taxi, tricycle, and full-time ride-hailing and delivery service drivers will receive P3 billion in fuel vouchers.
The 2022 fuel subsidy program had P2.5 billion that helped thousands of PUV drivers cope with high oil prices.
The Department of Transportation, Department of Employment, and DBM guidelines will govern program implementation, while the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board will validate and identify its beneficiaries.
Farmers and fisherfolk will receive P1 billion in fuel assistance to maintain agricultural and fishing production, more than 312,000 farmers and fisherfolk will receive P3,000 from the fuel subsidy. – gb
