Fuel pumps. INQUIRER FILES
MANILA, Philippines — Senator Sonny Angara believes there is no longer reason to delay the distribution of fuel subsidies to beneficiaries, especially now that the Commission on Elections has exempted the program from the spending ban in light of the 2023 Barangay and Sanggunniang Kabataan polls.
“Assuming all of the requirements have been met, and the recipients have been identified, we urge the Landbank of the Philippines to fast track the downloading of the fuel subsidies to the intended beneficiaries,” Angara, chairman of the Senate committee on finance, said in a statement on Friday.
According to the senator, the fuel subsidy program covers the following benefits:
- P10,000 for drivers of modernized public utility vehicles (PUVs)
- P6,500 for drivers of traditional four-wheel PUVs
- P1,200 to delivery riders
- P1,000 to tricycle drivers
Of the P3 billion budget allocated this year, the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board said it had distributed P417,086,500 worth of aid to the transport sector.
For 2024, at least a P2.5 billion allocation is being proposed for fuel subsidies, Angara said.
“Mahalaga ang ginagampanan na tungkulin para sa bayan ng ating mga PUV operators at drivers. Kung ano ang kayang ibigay na tulong sa kanila, kabilang na ang ayuda sa pambili ng langis, ay makakatulong para masiguro na tuloy-tuloy ang kanilang serbisyo para sa ating mga mananakay,” Angara added.
(Our PUV operators and drivers play an important role in our country. Whatever benefit we can give, including fuel subsidies for purchasing oil, will help ensure that their service continues.)