LTFRB: Around 115,000 PUV drivers, operators receive fuel subsidy
Around 115,000 public utility vehicle (PUV) drivers and operators have already received the P6,500 fuel subsidy as part of the government's move to assist them the public transport sector after a series of big-time oil price hikes.
Director Zona Tamayo, of the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB), said the agency and the Land Bank are continuously producing cards under Pantawid Pasada Program (PPP) for approximately 140,000 more beneficiaries.
"Mula nung nagsiimula po tayong nagsimula magbigay ng fuel subsidy nung March 15 umabot na po ng around 115,000 na beneficiaries (Around 115,000 beneficiaries have already received fuel subsidies since we started the distribution last March 15),” Tamayo said over Laging Handa briefing.
In an earlier statement, LTFRB disclosed that PUV drivers and operators under LTFRB will receive P1.75 billion out of the P2.5 billion subsidy (70 percent); P625 million (25 percent) for tricycle drivers under the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG); and P125 million (five percent) is for delivery services under the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI).
Tamayo said the agency anticipates distributing more cards to beneficiaries by next week.
Aside from the distribution of fuel subsidies, Tamayo said that the agency has coordinated with the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) to release the P7 billion fund for the service contracting program or libreng sakay (free ride) for commuters.
“Hopefully, by April masimulan na ang service contracting (Hopefully, we can start the service contracting program by April),” she said, adding that last year’s program recorded around 44 million ridership.
In the case of fare hike petitions from transport groups, Tamayo said that the Board would conduct another hearing in May.