Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, March 14) — The government plans to distribute fuel subsidies to more than 377,000 drivers of public utility vehicles in the next two weeks, but the assistance for millions of tricycle drivers remains uncertain.
At a Senate committee on energy hearing on Monday, transportation officials said P6,500 will be credited to jeepney drivers’ Pantawid Pasada cards beginning Tuesday.
“And then within this week and next week the other modes of transportation… because card printing with Landbank will also be facilitated,” said Joemier Pontawe, project manager at the Department of Transportation.
He said the two-week target was agreed upon by the Land Transportation and Franchising Regulatory Board and Landbank.
Under the 2022 General Appropriations Act, drivers of PUVs, taxis, tricycles, ride-hailing apps, and delivery services shall benefit from the P2.5 billion allocation for fuel subsidy.
There are millions of tricycle drivers nationwide, but only 43,000 are initially included in “the program of works” for the fuel subsidy, transportation development officer Sherwin Calumba of the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board said. He added that some 70,000 delivery service drivers may also be included, but the figure may change depending on data from the trade department.
Calumba said the LTFRB is in “close coordination” with local government units for the subsidy for tricycle drivers, but Senate committee on energy chairperson Sherwin Gatchalian demanded a timetable.
“It’s not rocket science,” Gatchalian said, pointing out that he could give a list of tricycle drivers in Valenzuela, so LGUs should be able to do the same.
“Uncertain na nga yung presyo, uncertain pa yung subsidy,” the lawmaker quipped.
It’s still unclear how much tricycle drivers and delivery riders will get. The LTFRB earlier said they may receive less than the P6,500 subsidy of other PUV drivers, since they consume less fuel.
If Dubai crude prices hit $140 per barrel due to the Ukraine-Russia conflict, local gasoline prices will reach P86.72 per liter, according to the Department of Energy. In the projection presented by DOE Usec. Gerardo Erguiza, Jr., diesel will sell for P81.10 per liter, kerosene at P80.50 for every liter, and LPG at P119.53 per kilo.
During the hearing, Finance OIC-Undersecretary Valery Joy Brion reiterated that the government cannot suspend excise taxes because it will be “detrimental to our recovery and long-term growth.” Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi said the agency will appeal for the suspension.
