P12/liter fuel subsidy for PUV operators, drivers to continue until September

The P12 per liter fuel discount for public utility vehicle (PUV) operators and drivers will continue until September, the Department of Energy (DOE) said on Monday.

"Ang assessment natin ay per monthly basis, kung itutuloy o ihihinto 'yung fuel subsidy. Good news, for September there is now a decision na tuloy-tuloy ang fuel subsidy program," said DOE Oil Industry Management Bureau Director Rino Abad in a press briefing.

(Our assessment on whether to continue or not the fuel subsidy is on a monthly basis. Good news, there's already a decision that the fuel subsidy program will continue on September.)

The government earlier raised the fuel discount from P10 per liter to P12 per liter starting August 15.

Qualified beneficiaries can save as much as ₱1,800 per week with the fuel discount.

Executive Secretary Ralph Recto said the increased fuel subsidy is due to the impact of the ongoing crisis in the Middle East on the fuel prices.

Data by the DOE as of August 19 showed that the government's fuel subsidy program has benefitted 97,910 PUV drivers and operators to date.

The announcement comes amid another week of hikes on pump prices starting Tuesday, August 25. Gasoline prices will be up by P1.08 per liter, diesel will increase by P2.31 per liter, and kerosene will see a P0.95 increase per liter. —RF, GMA News