Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, August 22) — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. wants concerned government agencies to expedite the issuance of a joint memorandum circular (JMC) that will allow the release of funding needed for fuel subsidy, Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman said on Tuesday.
Pangandaman was asked in a Palace briefing if Marcos had given instructions to fast-track the release of the circular, as oil price hikes entered its seventh consecutive week.
“Yes po,” she said. “In fact, when (Transportation) Secretary (Jaime) Bautista called me last week, sinabihan na po namin siya that kailangan matapos na po nila yung JMC nila [we told him that they already have to finish the JMC].”
The Department of Budget and Management earlier explained that it can only release the ₱3-billion subsidy for public utility vehicle (PUV) operators and drivers once there is already a circular stipulating the guidelines, which it will jointly sign with the Department of Transportation (DOTr) and the Department of Energy.
“Syempre po si presidente, gusto po niya pag nasa budget po, kailangan magamit kaagad [Of course, the president wants the immediate utilization of appropriated funds],” the Budget chief told reporters.
According to the DOTr, over 1.6 million PUV operators and drivers are set to receive fuel subsidies from the government to cushion the impact of oil price increases.
Drivers of modern jeepneys and UV Express vans will receive ₱10,000, while drivers of other modes of transport will get ₱6,500. Tricycle and delivery riders, on the other hand, will be given ₱1,000 and ₱1,200, respectively.
