BAYANIHAN 2

More than P802-M cash subsidy given to PUV operators —LTFRB

The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) has distributed more than P802 million cash subsidy to public utility vehicle (PUV) operators amid the COVID-19 pandemic, the Department of Transportation (DOTr) said on Friday.

The subsidy was given directly to bus, jeepney and PUV operators whose livelihood were affected by the pandemic, the DOTr said.

LTFRB Chairman Martin Delgra III said as of Thursday, Dec. 3, operators of 123,517 PUV units received the cash subsidy totalling P802,860,500.

A total of P1.158 billion has been allotted for cash subsidy under the Bayanihan to Recover As One Act or Bayanihan 2.

"Tuluy-tuloy lang po ang pamimigay ng subsidiya sa mga PUV operators na lubhang apektado ang kabuhayan ng kasalukuyang pandemya. Patunay po ito sa nais ng pamahalaan na sila ay tulungang makabangon. Hindi po sila pababayaan habang dumaranas tayong lahat ng pandemya," Delgra said. 

The LTFRB chairman said operators of 17,612 PUV units will receive their cash subsidy in the next few days. This is part of the P917,338,500 "obligated" fund for PUV operators.

The P917 million is 79% of the total budget of P1.158 billion earmarked for cash subsidy, Delgra said.

Under the Direct Subsidy Program, each operator will be given P6,500 per PUV unit under his franchise. 

Earlier this month, the LTFRB said P724 million cash subsidy was already given to more than 110,000 operators. —KG, GMA News