President oversees rollout of fuel subsidies
President Marcos vowed to streamline the distribution of fuel subsidies for drivers and operators, as he oversaw the rollout of a P10,000 fuel subsidy at the Parañaque Integrated Terminal Exchange (PITX) on Tuesday.
A total of 27 bus operators from the terminal received fuel assistance, which will benefit 1,096 bus units.
“I’m making sure that the system becomes orderly. So we are now providing a P10,000 subsidy for each bus unit. Then for the method of payment, all kinds of payment methods are allowed,” he said.
“There are still some who prefer not to go digital. But perhaps it’s more convenient, easier, and more practical if, as much as possible, we use digital payment,” he added.
The President called on operators to work closely with the government in mitigating the impact of rising fuel costs on commuters.
“Please help us so that our riding public will not have too much difficulty and won’t be too heavily burdened by fares, because we all know what’s happening—the price of oil is changing all over the world. We are always in need of assistance, support and cooperation from the operators, the drivers—the entire system,” he said.
Rising fuel costs
During the visit, Mr. Marcos and Transportation Secretary Giovanni Lopez inspected the facilities at PITX.
The Department of Transportation began on Tuesday the distribution of the fuel subsidy for public utility vehicle (PUV) drivers and operators amid the rising cost of fuel as the Middle East conflict continues.
Lopez said the fuel subsidy will complement the cash assistance provided by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) under its Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situations (AICS).
He said the program was allocated P2.5 billion under the 2025 national budget.
Some 245,066 drivers and operators of 1,180,783 units of PUVs—such as modern and traditional jeepneys, point-to-point buses, school buses, Filcab, UV express, tricycle, and delivery services—will receive the fuel subsidy nationwide starting Tuesday through a variety of payment methods: cash, e-wallets, bank accounts, or manager’s check.
Nationwide distribution
Lopez noted that the cash distribution for drivers and operators of PUVs is not proportional as the agency has to squeeze in all of its budget for the fuel subsidy program.
Meanwhile, DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian said the payout for the P5,000 cash assistance under the AICS for PUV drivers began on Tuesday in 17 identified sites in Metro Manila.
The schedule of the payout will be March 24 for transport network vehicle services drivers; March 25 for jeepney drivers; March 26-27 for service delivery riders; and March 28 for MC Taxi drivers.
