LTFRB fuel subsidy distribution begins today

MANILA, Philippines — The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) will begin the distribution of the P3-billion fuel subsidy for public utility vehicle (PUV) operators today.

The LTFRB said that around 1.36 million beneficiaries will receive the subsidy through e-wallet accounts, bank accounts and fuel subsidy cards.

The subsidy is seen to cushion the adverse impact of the continuous rise in pump prices over the last few weeks.

Operators of modern jeepneys and UV Express units who are qualified will receive P10,000.

Operators of other PUVs – traditional jeepneys, shuttle services, taxis, tourist transport services, school transport services and transportation network vehicle services – will each receive P6,500.

Delivery service riders will get P1,200 fuel subsidy while tricycle drivers will get P1,000.

LTFRB chairperson Teofilo Guadiz said that they were not favoring any PUV despite the higher financial assistance.

“The amount of subsidy given to each beneficiary depends on how much petroleum product their PUV consumes,” he said in a statement.

He added that all qualified operators will be given the financial assistance, even if they have not been consolidated or modernized.

Data from the Department of Transportation showed that around 280,000 PUVs will benefit from the program, as well as 930,000 tricycle operators and 150,000 delivery service riders.

Qualified beneficiaries are those who have a valid franchise and are registered with the proper regulatory agencies.