MANILA – The national government plans to widen its fuel subsidy initiative by April to assist hundreds of thousands of public utility vehicle (PUV) drivers struggling with the effects of rising fuel prices linked to tensions in the Middle East, Malacañang said.
The move comes after the initial rollout of financial assistance for tricycle drivers in Metro Manila began this week. Around 135,196 drivers in the capital region started receiving P5,000 each in cash aid during the launch held in Sta. Mesa, Manila.
Executive Secretary Ralph Recto said the next phase of the program will cover a broader range of transport workers across Metro Manila, potentially benefiting 396,352 drivers. The expanded coverage will include transport network vehicle service (TNVS) operators, motorcycle taxi drivers, jeepney drivers, and bus drivers.
Recto explained that the subsidy is being implemented through the Department of Social Welfare and Development’s Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS) program to help transport workers cope with rising fuel costs.
“Two wheels, three wheels, four wheels, six wheels. Basta namamasada susubukan na maisama sa programa (As long as you are driving, we will try to include you in the program),” Recto said.
“Prayoridad ng Pangulo na agad matulungan ang ating mga tsuper na biktima ng kaguluhan sa Middle East. Kaya inilarga na agad ang tulong-pasada na ito (It is the President’s priority to immediately assist our drivers affected by the Middle East conflict. That is why this transport aid was launched right away),” he added.
Recto said the nationwide rollout of the subsidy is expected by April once the Department of Social Welfare and Development, Department of Transportation, and Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board finalize the official list of beneficiaries.
Free ride program planned
Aside from financial assistance, the government is also preparing to introduce a Libreng Sakay program aimed at helping commuters cope with increasing transportation costs.
Recto said the administration is currently assessing available government vehicles and coordinating with transport operators that may participate in the initiative.
“We are doing an inventory of what we can deploy, and who can participate,” he said.
“There will be various modalities. We can deploy government-owned vehicles, for example. Or even contract buses and designate these as fare-free rides,” he added.
Local government units that already provide free bus services may also be encouraged to extend their operating hours to accommodate more passengers.
“Ang mahalaga, pag naipon ang lahat ng mga ‘yan, malaki ang maitutulong sa mananakay (The important thing is that when all these are implemented, they will greatly help commuters),” Recto said./PN
