DOTr eyes start of fuel subsidy by end-August
CASH AID | Jeepney drivers will soon get a relief from the spiraling prices of fuel, particularly diesel. (INQUIRER FILE PHOTO)
MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Transportation (DOTr) on Monday said it was targeting to implement the fuel subsidy program for public utility vehicle (PUV) drivers by the end of August, as soon as it receives the P2.95 billion fund from the Department of Budget and Management.
To ease the impact of oil price hikes, Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista said the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) would distribute cash aid for 1.64 million PUV drivers, including tricycle drivers and delivery riders.
“We will make sure that the assistance to our PUV drivers will be distributed immediately so they can use it, pay for their fuel and improve their daily income,” Bautista said in a statement.
The DOTr noted that the Department of Energy must certify that the average price of crude oil surpassed $80 in the last three months.
Under the fuel subsidy program, the LTFRB would provide P10,000 to modern jeepneys and UV Express while drivers of other modes of transportation would receive a one-time P6,500 cash grant.
Tricycle drivers will receive P1,000 while delivery riders will get P1,200.
Based on the data of the LTFRB, a total of 280,000 PUV drivers are entitled to the cash aid while 930,000 tricycle drivers and 150,000 delivery riders will get assistance from the Department of the Interior and Local Government and the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), respectively.
According to the DOTr, the DICT, in coordination with the Department of Trade and Industry, is currently finalizing the master list of eligible delivery service riders.
“The beneficiaries shall receive the subsidy through their provided accounts (e.g., e-wallet accounts such as GCash and other bank accounts),” the DOTr said.
They may also use the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) card to receive the fuel subsidy but in case the available methods of distribution are not applicable, delivery service riders could claim the aid via over-the-counter withdrawal from designated Land Bank of the Philippines branches.
