Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, October 9) — The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) said it is asking Congress to increase the subsidy for jeepney drivers and operators who will replace their units with modern jeeps to ₱250,000.
In a Monday press briefing, LTFRB Chairman Teofilo Guadiz III said the subsidy under the jeepney modernization program will be increased from ₱180,000 per driver/operator.
“Wini-work out sa Congress na magkaroon ng additional, asking Congress for ₱1.3-billion subsidy to modernize jeepney,” he explained. “Ibig sabihin kapag nag-modernize kayo may initial na ibibigay ang gobyerno na ₱250,000 po. Dati 180 (thousand pesos).”
[Translation: We are working out in Congress to have additional, asking Congress for for ₱1.3 billion subsidy to modernize jeepney. This means if you modernize the initial amount the government will give is ₱250,000. Before it’s ₱180,000.]
LTFRB said the ₱250,000 grant is “retroactive”, so that those who earlier received the initial ₱180,000 will be paid the difference.
Guadiz also answered questions related to a graft case before the Ombudsman over the disbursement of funds for the same jeepney modernization program. He was firm that no public funds were misused since these go directly to operators.
“Pero kung meron po haharapin po natin, malinis po ang ating kalooban.”
