Around 136,000 jeepney drivers to receive fuel subsidies by Tuesday

FILE PHOTO: A gas station attendant fills up the diesel tank of a jeepney in Quezon City. INQUIRER file photo / GRIG C. MONTEGRANDE

MANILA, Philippines — Around 136,000 jeepney drivers are expected to receive their P6,500-fuel subsidy either on Monday or Tuesday (March 14 or March 15) amid the fuel price surge, the Department of Transportation (DOTr) reported.

DOTr representative Joemier Pontawe said the 136,000 jeepney drivers are a part of the 377,000 targeted beneficiaries of the fuel subsidy program which also includes drivers of busses, UV Express units, taxis, shuttle services, tourist vehicles, and transportation network vehicle services (TNVS).

“Sa jeepneys, we already have a mechanism since 2018. So as I’ve mentioned, we expect yung downloading of funds sa kanila today or tomorrow,” Pontawe said during the hearing of the Senate committee on energy on the rising fuel prices.

(For jeepneys, we already have a mechanism since 2018. So as I’ve mentioned, we expect yung downloading of funds for them today or tomorrow.)

“Nagstart na tayo noong weekend with the preparations with LandBank so ngayon ic-credit na sa kanilang Pantawid Pasada cards,” he added.

(We started this weekend with the preparations with LandBank so we will now credit this to their Pantawid Pasada cards.)

Pontawe said the government is eyeing to complete the distribution of the fuel subsidy to all beneficiaries within the next two weeks.

Moreover, Pontawe said they are now in coordination with the Department of the Interior and Local Government for the subsidies for tricycle drivers and with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) for service delivery drivers.

“We’re also exploring other distribution mechanisms to facilitate po faster. This is okay for companies na malalaki ‘yung fleet or consolidated sila,” Pontawe said.

RELATED STORY:

LTFRB to distribute fuel subsidy next week

EDV