'Buking kayo boi': 10 taxi drivers warned for trying to collect P5,000 fuel subsidy twice
Hundred of taxi drivers wait for their turn to receive the P5,000 fuel subsidy in a distribution site in Quezon City. (photo: LTFRB)
While a lot of those in the transport sector are yet to receive their share of fuel subsidy, these 10 taxi drivers really tried to take advantage by trying to pull a trick to claim at least twice during the distribution in Quezon City on Friday, April 24.
But they were busted and the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) warned beneficiaries not to do the same in the second wave of distribution on Saturday, April 25, or risk losing their driver’s license.
LTFRB Chairman Vigor D. Mendoza II said the 10 drivers came up with various excuses and alibis when they were separately caught while in the act of claiming anew the fuel subsidy worth P5,000 in cash.
“We are sending this warning that once any taxi driver is caught, we will request the LTO to revoke the driver’s license,” said Mendoza.
Over P10 million were distributed on Friday for taxi drivers at the central offices of the LTFRB and the Land Transportation Office. More than 2,000 taxi drivers claimed their subsidy on Friday.
“The first day of the fuel distribution is peaceful and orderly and we hope to sustain it on the second day of the distribution process for the taxi drivers,” said Mendoza.
He said they expect more taxi drivers to claim the fuel subsidy on the scheduled last day of distribution of fuel subsidy for taxi drivers in Metro Manila on Saturday.
The national government has released almost P98 million for fuel subsidies for taxis.
In Friday’s distribution, each taxi driver received an envelope containing P5,000 each. 2,000 taxi drivers more or less claimed the subsidy on Friday.
Mendoza assured that the distribution process will continue as he expressed confidence that all the released funds will be distributed to intended beneficiaries.
“We assure our friends and partners at the public transportation sector that the distribution process will continue until all the intended beneficiaries claim their assistance from the national government,” said Mendoza.
He said monitoring has been intensified for real-time and immediate intervention on any concerns relating to fuel subsidy distribution.