DOTr eyes subsidizing 30% of PUVs' fuel needs; LTFRB says post-COVID-19 fare hike 'not in horizon'

The Department of Transportation (DOTr) is planning to subsidize a part of public utility vehicles (PUV) operators’ daily fuel consumption requirements as part of a post-coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) recovery plan for the public transport sector, which has been adversely affected by the pandemic.

“We are in deep discussions in packaging an assistance package. [This is] composed of makakabigay ng tulong o ayuda sa fuel siguro 30% of daily consumption,” Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade said at a virtual press briefing on Thursday.

Apart from subsidizing fuel, Tugade said the DOTr is also looking at creating a lending program for PUV drivers and operators “with preferred arrangements and interest rates.”

For those with existing loans, the Transportation chief said the agency will give a three to six months grace period in paying of loans which fell due within the quarantine periods, without interest rates.

The Luzon-wide enhanced community quarantine has halted public transportation as the government encouraged most of the population to stay at home in a bid to arrest the spread of COVID-19.

As the so-called “new normal” scenario mandates public transport to operate on a reduced capacity, Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) allayed fears of fare increases.

“That’s not in the horizon right now kasi po may stimulus package na makakatulong sa operator,” LTFRB chair Martin Delgra said, referring to Tugade’s proposed stimulus package for PUV operators and drivers.

“Mahirap din naman po sa panahon na ito na pahirapan pa natin ang mananakay na may dagdag pasahe pa,” he said. -MDM, GMA News