Drivers get fuel subsidy from LTFRB

Some 9,000 drivers or operators of public utility jeepneys are expected to benefit from a fuel subsidy of P5,000 each, which the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) began distributing yesterday.

To cushion the impact of inflation, the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) started distributing Pantawid Pasada Program fuel cards to drivers and operators of public utility jeepneys (PUJ) .

LTFRB 7 Director Eduardo Montealto Jr. said that some 12,000 PUJs in Central Visayas will benefit from the aid. Of the number, 9,000 are in Cebu while the other 3,000 are in Bohol, Siquijor and Negros Oriental.

The operators will each receive P5,000 per unit.

The operator, in turn, will give drivers the cards that serve as government fuel subsidy, which they can use when buying fuel from participating gasoline stations.

Montealto said they tapped the Land Bank of the Philippines for the fuel cards since it is a government bank.

“The purpose of the program is to mitigate the effect of the Tax Reform Acceleration and Inclusion (Train) Law because of additional tax on fuel. The PUJs are given these cards because it is the primary mode of transportation,” Montealto said.

The agency based the list of beneficiaries on the LTFRB’s list of legitimate franchisees or Certificates of Public Convenience (CPCs) holders.

He said the cards are non-transferable to other units because every card bears the plate number of the PUJ.