MANILA, Philippines — The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) on Thursday warned public utility vehicle (PUV) drivers not to abuse the fuel subsidy program since its long-term implementation is already being studied.
During the Laging Handa briefing, LTFRB – National Capital Region Director Zona Russet Tamayo enjoined subsidy recipients to use the subsidy exclusively for fuel expenses.
“Now, kung mayroon hong paglabag, ipapatawag natin ang mga operator. Makakaapekto din ho ito sa mga subsequent po sanang fuel subsidy program po ng ating gobyerno dahil pinag-uusapan na rin ho ‘yan for next year kung maaring maipagpatuloy po natin ang ganitong programa,” Tamayo said.
(If there are violations, the operators will be summoned. It may also affect the subsequent fuel subsidy program of the government because we are discussing whether the program could also be implemented next year.)
“Kaya ayaw po natin na mangyari ho na ma-flag, tinatawag ho, ‘yung tinatawag nating ma-flag, ang kanilang account sa ngayon kasi po we’re looking at a long-term program for fuel subsidy,” she added.
(So, we do not want the operators’ accounts to be flagged because we’re looking at a long-term program for fuel subsidy.)
According to Tamayo, the Land Bank of the Philippines, where the subsidy is credited, could detect if operators used the money for other purposes.
She also shared the fuel subsidy beneficiaries have signed an undertaking that they will use the aid for fuel only.
The government began on Wednesday its P1-billion fuel subsidy distribution to about 136,000 PUV drivers as fuel prices continue to soar.
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