Jeepney drivers to receive fuel vouchers

MANILA, Philippines — Jeepney operators and drivers will receive their fuel vouchers starting today to help them cope with the higher excise tax on fuel.

Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade, Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi, Budget Secretary Benjamin Diokno, Finance Assistant Secretary Antonio Lambino II, Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) chairman Martin Delgra III and LandBank of the Philippines president Alex Buenaventura signed yesterday a memorandum circular for the implementation of the “Pantawid Pasada” program.

The program aims to cover 179,852 public utility jeepneys (PUJs) with LTFRB franchises.

“The fuel vouchers will be given to qualified franchise holders of PUJs,” Tugade said.

He said the fuel subsidy would be distributed by LandBank in the form of debit cards.

Jeepney drivers will receive the subsidy in installments of P853 per month in the next six months.

The government has allocated P977 million for the first tranche of the program this year.

Delgra said they are targeting to distribute 10,000 debit cards to jeepney operators this month.