LTFRB says P417-M worth of fuel subsidy already distributed

INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines — Of the P3 billion allocated funds, the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) on Thursday said it has so far distributed P417,086,500 worth of fuel subsidy to drivers and operators of public utility vehicles (PUVs).

According to the LTFRB, the total subsidies distributed translate to a total of 63,864 drivers and operators of PUVs.

Of the total, 23,047 PUV operators and drivers were given their subsidy on Sept. 13, while 40,817 received theirs on Sept. 14.

The distribution of fuel subsidies was then halted due to the spending ban for the barangay and sangguniang kabataan elections, but was resumed on Wednesday, Sept. 20 after the Commission on Elections exempted the program from the ban.

So far, the LTFRB said the subsidies have been distributed to operators and drivers of traditional public utility jeepneys (PUJs), modern PUJs, public utility buses, mini-buses, tourist transport services, school transport services, and Filcabs.

READ: PUV fuel subsidy program exempted from poll spending ban

“Kaugnay nito, tinitiyak naman ng LTFRB na patuloy ang kanilang pamamahagi ng subsidiya bilang agarang-tulong ng gobyerno para sa mga operator at tsuper ng mga pampublikong sasakyan na apektado sa pagtaas ng presyo ng mga produktong petrolyo,” the agency said in a statement.

READ: DBM: P3 billion fuel subsidy up for distribution to drivers, operators

(In this regard, the LTFRB ensures that they will continue to distribute subsidies as an immediate government aid for the operators and drivers of public vehicles affected by the increase in the price of petroleum products.)

JPV