LTFRB eyes expanded fuel subsidy coverage, higher aid amount

MANILA, Philippines — The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) is planning to expand the modes of transportation that will benefit from the P10-per-liter fuel subsidy, as well as increase the subsidy amount, its chairperson, Vigor Mendoza II, said on Tuesday.

The government began implementing the P10-per-liter fuel subsidy for UV Express, traditional, and modern jeepneys on April 14.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. earlier said the fuel subsidy would be capped at 150 liters per week and would be implemented for three months.

READ: Marcos OKs P10 per liter fuel subsidy for PUVs

During his inspection at one of the gas stations in Pasig City, Mendoza said there were currently 52 gas stations enrolled with Land Bank to distribute the fuel subsidy to qualified public utility vehicles.

When asked whether the P10-per-liter fuel subsidy would be increased, Mendoza answered in the affirmative. He also said that it was currently Phase 1 of the program, and taxis, buses, and tricycles would benefit from it in the future.

“Yes, that is the plan. The P10 peso will be increased, but we will first expand the vehicles involved, and not just the UV [express] and jeepney,” Mendoza said in Filipino in an interview. 

READ: Fuel price rolled back as much as P23/L

Mendoza also said that P1.5 billion is allocated to implement the per-liter fuel subsidy for UV Express and jeepneys until July. He added that around 33,000 units of these will benefit in Metro Manila.

Mendoza then said that to avail the discount, qualified PUVs must fill up with diesel at participating gas stations based on the list of the Department of Energy. After this, they must inform the gas attendant that they will avail of the fuel subsidy.

He noted that only qualified PUVs on the LTFRB list will be given the fuel subsidy, which will be automatically deducted from the total purchase amount.

Meanwhile, Energy Secretary Sharon Garin said the increase in subsidy will depend on funding from the Philippine National Oil Company, a government-owned and controlled corporation that ensures the country’s energy supply. /mcm /atm