Palace: P12 fuel discount for PUVs to remain as long as needed

MANILA, Philippines — Malacañang on Thursday said the P12-per-liter fuel discount for public utility vehicles (PUVs) and UV Express units will remain in effect indefinitely, as the government has yet to set an end date for the program.

The discount currently stands at P10 per liter, with an additional P2 per liter scheduled to take effect on Aug. 12.

READ: Recto: Fuel price cut for jeepney, UV Express drivers to go up to P12/liter

“As of now, there is no definite timeline. As long as our fellow Filipinos in the transport sector need assistance, the government will continue providing aid,” said Palace press officer Claire Castro in a briefing.

Castro said the government has allocated P400 million for the fuel discount program and assured that authorities are addressing the concerns of PUV drivers.

“This will also provide relief to those in the transport sector, as the fuel subsidy has been increased to P12 per liter. This means they can receive up to P1,800 in government assistance per week, or save as much as P7,200 per month through the fuel subsidy provided by the government,” she said.

The fuel subsidy is part of the government’s assistance program under the Unified Package for Livelihoods, Industry, Food, and Transport, which aims to ease the burden of rising fuel costs brought about by the conflict in the Middle East. /das