ILOILO City – Around 10,000 public utility vehicle (PUV) drivers in Western Visayas are set to receive fuel subsidies from the Department of Transportation (DOTr) and the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB), as authorities rush to complete documentation and require beneficiaries to open e-wallet accounts for disbursement.
LTFRB Region 6’s Chief Transportation Development Officer Atty. Ma. Joscet Abellar said the agency is now working overtime to finalize submissions to its Central Office to facilitate the release of the subsidy.
“Releasing of subsidy, I think that’s gonna be anytime this week,” Abellar said in a phone interview on Monday morning, March 23.
Abellar said that since last week, the regional office has been submitting requirements, including the list of qualified drivers of modernized and traditional jeepneys and other public transport modes.
Tricycle drivers are not included as data for them is handled by their respective local government units (LGUs).
Initial data show that more or less 10,000 drivers across Western Visayas, including Bacolod City and Negros Occidental which are now part of Negros Island Region, have already been endorsed, with the number expected to increase.
“Medyo madamo-damo sa bilog ‘ni nga region,” Abellar said, referring to the growing number of beneficiaries.
The figure covers drivers of consolidated modern and traditional jeepneys, as well as taxis and other PUVs.
On whether unconsolidated jeepneys will also receive the subsidy, Abellar said they are still awaiting guidelines.
The exact amount each driver will receive has yet to be determined, as it will depend on the available budget and the final number of beneficiaries.
To ensure efficient distribution, LTFRB is requiring all individual drivers to create e-wallet accounts such as GCash or PayMaya, where the subsidy will be credited.
Abellar emphasized that the e-wallet account must be under the driver’s name to avoid discrepancies during verification.
“Kinahanglan gid nga may ara sila and their account should bear their name. Indi puwede sa ngalan sang ila bata ukon sa ngalan sang ila asawa tungod kay ang ngalan nga ginpasa naton iga-double check… or else indi magsulod ang subsidy,” Abellar explained.
For drivers of modern jeepneys operating under cooperatives or corporations, the subsidy will be directly credited to the Land Bank of the Philippines accounts of their respective organizations.
Abellar also clarified that the DOTr-LTFRB fuel subsidy is separate from the assistance provided by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).
He said the list of drivers has already been submitted to the DSWD, which will determine the schedule and amount of its own payout.
Based on previous payouts in Metro Manila, drivers may personally claim the DSWD assistance at designated venues and schedules./PN
