The Department of Energy (DOE) is seeking additional support from oil companies so they can chip into the “Pantawid Pasada program”, which subsidizes the fuel cost for the transport sector.

The DOE initiative is on top of the P1-billion fuel subsidy released by the government to assist public utility vehicle drivers and operators amid rising fuel cost.

Energy Secretary Alfonso G. Cusi put forward the appeal to the oil companies in this week’s signing of the Joint Memorandum Circular (JMC) and the implementing guidelines for the grant of subsidy to public utility vehicles -- primarily the jeepney drivers and Filcab franchise holders.

“We are taking this opportunity to call on the other players of our liquid fuels industry to join Pantawid Pasada, so we may strengthen transport sector support during these unprecedented times,” the energy chief said.

Cusi cited that some oil companies had so far participated in the Pantawid Pasada program, “despite being victims of the current global health crisis themselves.”

The oil companies will typically grant discounts to the PUJ drivers either as a succor to the government’s Pantawid Pasada program or it could also be their own initiative - and that could come in as added financial relief to the drivers’ pockets, especially when prices are relentlessly rising.

The PUJ drivers intensified their call for State-sponsored financial assistance when they were being hamstrung by skyrocketing prices at domestic fuel pumps – to which the government had heeded with the imprimatur of the Department of Finance (DOF), in collaboration with other relevant agencies and partners, such as the DOE, Department of Budget and Management (DBM), Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) and the Landbank of the Philippines.

Energy Undersecretary Jesus Cristino P. Posadas noted that the distribution of financial subsidy to the public transport via the Pantawid Pasada program is “a product of our collective efforts.”

According to the DOE, “the Pantawid Pasada Program" will be granting fuel subsidies to legitimate public utility jeepneys and Filcab franchise holders or operators with valid LTFRB franchises until December 31, 2021.”

As fleshed out in the JMC, only the eligible beneficiaries will be issued with fuel subsidy or “Pantawid Pasada” cards, and they can use that “to pay for their fuel in participating gasoline stations nationwide.”

The energy department explained that “each card would be loaded with a fixed subsidy amount to be determined in a succeeding issuance.”

The JMC further prescribed that “the DOE will be responsible for coordinating with oil companies for the program’s implementation, as well as in the provision of pertinent data and information (to) the gasoline stations.”