Metro Manila, Philippines – The Department of Transportation (DOTr) began to distribute the fuel subsidy for operators and over 200,000 drivers on Tuesday, March 24, in light of soaring fuel prices.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. personally witnessed the check payout for 27 bus operators at the Parañaque Integrated Terminal Exchange.
Ritchie Manuel, one of the beneficiaries, said the subsidy will help in paying for fuel that is now 80 percent of operating cost.
Another bus operator, Juliet de Jesus, appealed for a longer-term approach.
“Ang request namin sa presidente, bigyan kami ng programa… ‘yong continuity na mabubuhay ang bus operator at mga driver para maka serbisyo kami sa commuters,” said De Jesus, who is also the spokesperson of the Mega Manila Consortium.
[Translation: We are requesting the president to give us a program that has continuity so that bus operators and drivers may survive and could be of service to commuters.]
Buses for Holy Week travel
Acting Transportation Secretary Giovanni Lopez said he also hopes that the fuel subsidy would help provide enough buses on the road for the upcoming Holy Week travel.
Lopez said the DOTr has received reports that provincial bus operators are limiting trips because of higher fuel costs. He said the agency will meet with them.
At the PITX, no less than five percent of regular bus operators’ units have cut trips. The major transport hub is also preparing for a huge jump in passenger count, as some motorists may opt to take buses instead of using their own car.
“Hopefully [there are] sufficient [buses],” PITX corporate affairs head Jason Salvador said. “Hindi natin mapipilit kung di kayang i-sustain ang operations nila.”
[Translation: We cannot force them to operate if it’s not sustainable.]
Varying amounts
The DOTr said operators will receive different amounts depending on the transport mode.
Those who will receive ₱10,000 per unit are operators for public utility bus, P2P bus, modern jeepney, and modern UV express.The fund will be given through the fuel subsidy cards, manager’s checks, bank accounts, or e-wallets.
Drivers will also get individual subsidies through cash payout or digital wallet transfers.
The DOTr will provide ₱5,000 to drivers of bus, school service, taxi, and UV express as they were not covered by the cash relief assistance program of the Department of Social Welfare and Development.
Those covered by the DSWD, including jeepney and TNVS drivers, will get an additional ₱1,500. The amount for tricycle drivers and delivery riders has not been settled, with the distribution eyed after the Holy Week.
