Jeepney operators endure long queues to get fuel vouchers

Some jeepney operators had to go through a rigorous process in claiming their Pantawid Pasada Program fuel cards as the deadline of issuance drew closer.

According to a report by Mariz Umali in GMA's 24 Oras on Thursday, the operators had to spend at least six hours in long queues outside the LandBank of the Philippines East Avenue Branch in Quezon City.

The fuel vouchers under the Pantawid Pasada Program were offered by the government to jeepney drivers and operators to mitigate the adverse effects of the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion law, which imposed excise taxes on fuel, starting last year.

Each qualified operator of a public utility jeepney is entitled to a financial assistance of P20,514 this year.

However, at the start of 2019, reports said that over 80,000 registered jeepney franchise holders have yet to claim their fuel subsidy from the government.

According to the report, the claiming of cards was made a requirement for the registration of public utility jeepneys. 

"Hindi makakapasada po. Kapag nahuli 'yun magmumulta po kami. Dati hindi kasama 'yun sa mga requirements," said jeepney operator Vener Pamintuan.

"Hindi namin kasalanan 'to kasi nung isang araw pa kami nag-process ng papel doon, lumabas kahapon lang. Parang panggigipit ito sa aming mga operator eh," operator Pedro Pidlawan Jr. added.

The LTFRB, on the other hand, said that it has been required because a lot of jeepney operators do not claim their fuel subsidy cards.

"Sayang po, nilaanan na tayo ng gobyerno natin... ang daming hindi kine-claim na cards kaya po ni-require para po dumaan sila dito sa amin," said Jonie Fontiveros, LTFRB officer in charge of processing PPP fuel cards.

The long queue finally started to move faster at around 1 p.m.

“Bakit kasi kung kailan deadline at saka lang po sila nagpuntahan eh open naman po kami everyday. Kung meron pong pupunta, ina-accommodate naman namin,” said Dang Ugalino, branch operation officer of LandBank East Avenue.

The claiming of Pantawid Pasada Program fuel cards has been extended to August 2 from the previous deadline of July 31. —Dona Magsino/LDF, GMA News