DICT completes list of messenger-riders for fuel subsidy rollout
By Jel Santos
(MB FILE PHOTO)
The Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) on Friday, March 13, said it has completed the consolidation and endorsement of the list of qualified messenger-riders under authorized delivery firms for the implementation of a fuel subsidy program.
“The Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) informs the public that it has completed the consolidation and endorsement of the list of qualified messenger-riders under authorized Private Express and/or Messengerial Delivery Service (PEMEDES) firms, which has been submitted to partner agencies for the implementation of the fuel subsidy program,” the DICT said in an advisory.
The initiative seeks to help delivery riders cope with rising fuel prices while ensuring the continued delivery of postal and courier services.
“In coordination with the Department of Transportation (DOTr) and the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB), this initiative aims to assist messenger-riders of authorized PEMEDES firms in coping with the impact of rising fuel costs while ensuring the continued delivery of reliable postal and delivery services,” the agency added.
According to the DICT, the distribution of the fuel subsidy will be handled by transport authorities following their existing procedures.
“Distribution of the fuel subsidy will be facilitated by the DOTr and LTFRB in accordance with their established procedures and schedule,” it stated.
As such, the DICT advised the public and affected riders to wait for further announcements from the concerned agencies regarding the distribution process.
In recent weeks, fuel prices have risen sharply in amid escalating geopolitical tensions in the Middle East and supply concerns in the global oil market, prompting the government to roll out subsidy programs to cushion the impact on transport and delivery workers.