By Raymond Carl Dela Cruz
MANILA – The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) has so far distributed nearly PHP1 billion in fuel subsidy to drivers and operators of public utility vehicles (PUV) as part of government aid to the transport sector after the declaration of a national energy emergency.
In a news release on Tuesday, LTFRB Chair Vigor Mendoza II said the distribution process is continually being adjusted to make it faster and more efficient, down to the municipal level.
“Our goal is to complete the entire distribution process in the soonest possible time. Hindi pwedeng patagalin pa dahil patuloy na sumisipa pataas ang presyo ng gasolina at diesel (We can’t take too long because the prices of gasoline and diesel continue to go up),” Mendoza said.
Drivers and operators in the National Capital Region (NCR) received the bulk of the aid at around PHP200 million, those in Calabarzon got around PHP99 million and those in Central Visayas received some PHP86 million.
“The instruction of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. and Transportation Secretary Giovanni Lopez is to make sure that no driver and operator is left behind,” Mendoza said.
These beneficiaries include drivers and operators of modern and traditional jeepneys, Utility Vehicle Express, regular and point-to-point buses, transport network vehicle service, taxis, and tricycles.
Other beneficiaries who have yet to receive their subsidy are delivery service riders and motorcycle taxi drivers.
“Lahat ng qualified beneficiaries ay mabibigyan (All qualified beneficiaries will receive their subsidy) and we will make sure that this is also scam-free to ensure that only rightful beneficiaries will receive the subsidy,” Mendoza said.
The LTFRB is working with other relevant government agencies as well as local government units to verify the list of beneficiaries of the program.
“We assure our kababayan (compatriots) that the entire government is working together not only to release the fuel subsidy in the soonest possible time but in finding other ways to assist the PUV sector,” Mendoza said. (PNA)
