Fuel subsidy for public transport available in 2-3 weeks—Palace

MANILA, Philippines—The fuel cost assistance for public utility jeeps and tricycles will be available in two to three weeks, Malacañang said Friday.

“I … remember [Energy Secretary Jose Rene] Almendras, saying that they hope to get this in place within two to three weeks,” Communications Development and Strategic Planning Secretary Ricky Carandang said during the day’s news briefing in Malacañang.

Carandang also said that the subsidy was only a temporary measure.

“Yeah, I agree with you that it’s not sustainable. We never meant this to be sustainable. But given the high fuel prices and given the possible impact that this will have on ordinary people, we felt that we had to take some action,” Carandang said.

“We are studying longer-term actions which I’m not at liberty to reveal right now with regard to dealing with the volatility in fuel prices. But, yes, it is a temporary solution,” he added.