THE Department of Transportation (DOTr) said it will start the distribution of fuel subsidy to affected public utility vehicle (PUV) drivers next month.
Transportation Undersecretary for Road Transport and Infrastructure Jesus Ferdinand Ortega said this is to help cushion the effects of high fuel prices.
“Nagkaroon na tayo ng joint memorandum with different agencies and we expect to be paying it by March,” Ortega said in an interview on PTV 4 on Wednesday, February 5.
“So every year, iyan ang tulong ng gobyerno sa mga pagtaas ng ating fuel prices,” he added.
Various agencies will lead the subsidy payout including the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) for jeepney drivers, and the Department of the Interior and Local Government for tricycle drivers.
“Tapos iyong sa mga TNVS [transport network vehicle system] naman, ito iyong sa ating mga ride-hailing na mga sasakyan or ito iyong mga motorcycle,” Ortega noted.
Various transport groups have been asking for a hike in fares citing high fuel prices. The LTFRB earlier said it is reviewing a petition for a P15 minimum fare for public utility jeepneys. The LTFRB also said that another petition for a P17 minimum fare was too high. (ABS-CBN News)
