PUV driver holding his Pantawid Pasada Program card
Photo courtesy: Philippine Star | Michael Varcas
MANILA, Philippines – Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) distributed fuel subsidies for Public Utility Vehicles (PUV), which started on March 15, 2022. However, half of the PUV drivers, including taxi drivers, are standing by.
PUV drivers were given a chance to decrease their issue with the escalating fuel prices caused by the ongoing conflict between Ukraine and Russia.
Jeepneys, buses, UV Express vans, taxis, and delivery and tricycle drivers are qualified PUV drivers that will be given by the LTFRB.
Tina Cassion, LTFRB Executive Director, released a statement via Viber stating that they would be distributing the subsidies starting on March 15 with a target beneficiaries of 377,000 PUV drivers with an amount of 6,500 pesos per driver.
Among those 377,000 beneficiaries, only 110,287 drivers were given their cards while the others were being stood by and reviewed by the board, including taxi drivers.
April 4, Monday, the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) suspended the distribution of fuel subsidies to restrain candidates of Halalan 2022 to avoid the public funds being used for their campaigns.
The banning of fuel subsidies of LTFRB will be until May 8, after the elections.
As of April 7, Thursday, Commissioner George Garcia gave a statement that he will be allowed to resume the distribution; however, it will be under strict conditions. He added that LTFRB will halt COMELEC's decision.
“We have to wait for our resolution because the resolution will contain the conditions—strict conditions,” he said.
With the delay that happened, half of the PUV drivers were only given fuel aid.
Furthermore, several drivers said that they wouldn’t hope for the subsidy since hoping will only lead them to disappointment.
Cassion apologized to drivers for the delay during her interview at TV Patrol.
She said, “Humihingi po kami ng paumanhin po, ramdam namin ang pangangailangan po talaga niyo. (We apologize, [and] we feel for your needs.)”
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