LTFRB tells operators: Give PUJ drivers their P7,200 fuel subsidy

The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board reminded the public utility jeepney (PUJ) operators on Thursday to give the Pantawid Pasada Program (PPP) cards to the drivers where their P7,200 fuel subsidy is credited.

In an Unang Balita interview, LTFRB chairman Martin Delgra III said that Section 82 of R.A. No. 10963 or the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN), Law the beneficiaries of the fuel vouchers are the “qualified franchise holders” of PUJs.

“However, ang nagmamaneho naman ang gumagastos ng krudo, so karapat-dapat lang na ‘yung cards na ‘yan maibigay ‘yan sa drivers kasi ito pong Pantawid Pasada Program or fuel subsidy ay para po ito sa mga bumibili ng krudo sa kanilang araw-araw na pamamasada,” he said.

(PUJ drivers are the ones who pay for the fuel they use. So, the operators need to give the cards to the drivers because this fuel subsidy program is for those who buy fuel for their daily work.)

The government started on Wednesday the distribution of the P1-billion fund for the fuel subsidies of the jeepney drivers to ease their financial burden due to the increase in petroleum prices.

Delgra noted that Landbank has already credited the P7,200 fuel subsidy to about 85,000 active PPP cards, but the bank is still yet to produce over 50,000 cards.

“Sa pangkalahatan po, we have determined all across the country mga 136,230 units for this year. So, meron tayong mga active cards of 85K, ‘yung remaining number, Landbank has committed to print the remaining card of something like 50-51K cards at maibahagi na rin ito sa wala pang cards para paggagamitan po ito doon sa mga participating gas stations,” he said.

(Overall, we have determined 136,230 units for this year. We have 85,000 active cards and Landbank has committed to print the remaining 50-51K cards for distribution to those who still don’t have the cards so drivers can use them at participating gas stations.)

Further, Delgra said that this fuel subsidy is solely for the PUJ drivers for now since their sector has the largest percentage in terms of public transport coverage, in response to the calls of other public utility vehicle (PUV) drivers to receive the same benefits.

“We share the appeal and in fact, meron pong panukala noong merong budget deliberation of the DOTr noong Lunes, may panukala ‘yung Senado na dagdagan ‘yung pondo sa susunod na taon under this fuel subsidy program at isali ‘yung ibang modes of public transport and we fully support that move,” he said.

(The DOTr proposed to the Senate to increase the budget for next year under this fuel subsidy program so we can include the drivers of other modes of public transport. We fully support this.) —LBG, GMA News