P12/L fuel subsidy on hold amid BSKE ban on social services spending

The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) has suspended the distribution of the P12-per-liter fuel subsidy for public utility vehicle (PUV) drivers due to the election ban on public spending for social services ahead of the upcoming Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE).

In a "24 Oras Weekend" report by Bernadette Reyes on Saturday, several jeepney drivers expressed frustration over the suspension, appealing to the government to either increase the fuel subsidy or approve their pending request for a fare hike.

“’Yung ibinigay nilang subsidy, dagdagan nila kasi ayaw nilang taasan ‘yung pamasahe eh tapos taas nang taas ’yung [presyo ng] diesel. Paano naman kaming mga drayber?” said Arturo Vinluan, a jeepney driver.

(They should increase the subsidy if they refuse to raise fares, especially with diesel prices continuously rising. What will happen to us drivers?)

Another driver said he might temporarily stop plying his route because of low passenger volume and soaring fuel costs.

“Gagarahe na muna kasi walang pasahero, walang sakay, hangga’t wala pa 'yung subsidy namin. Sobrang taas eh. Wala naman gaanong sakay,” the driver said.

(I’m just going to park the vehicle for now while waiting for our subsidy. Fuel prices are just too high, and there aren’t many passengers.)

Under the election code, public welfare and social service programs are prohibited during the election period unless granted an exemption by the Commission on Elections (Comelec).

The Comelec said it is open to allowing the fuel subsidy to proceed once an exemption is requested. However, it has yet to receive a formal request from the LTFRB.

Trip adjustments

At a bus terminal in Sampaloc, Manila, a bus company was forced to cut trips and adjust departure schedules to cope with rising fuel prices.

In Reyes' report, a bus bound for Tuguegarao that was originally scheduled to depart at 8 a.m. remained at the terminal past 9 a.m. because only four passengers had boarded.

The bus operator explained that it needs a higher passenger turnout to avoid operating at a loss amid the high cost of fuel.

“Nagbawas po kami ng kaunting biyahe. Nag-iipon muna po kami ng mga pasahero,” Victory Liner terminal master Ariel Santos said.

(We have reduced some trips to allow more passengers to gather.)

“Kapag nakaipon na po kami ng mga 30 pasahero, doon pa lang po namin bubuksan ‘yung makina at ang aircon ng bus, tsaka doon pa lang po kami magpapasakay ng mga pasahero,” he added.

(Once we have around 30 passengers, that’s when we start the engine and turn on the air-conditioning, and only then do we allow passengers to board.)

The Department of Transportation (DOTr) has already met with interagency officials to formulate measures to address the looming fuel crisis.

Among the key measures discussed was a proposed public transport fare hike.

Meanwhile, stakeholders are still awaiting Malacañang's decision on the possible removal of excise taxes on petroleum products, especially with Dubai crude prices reaching US$123 per barrel, well above the US$80 threshold for tax relief intervention.

The DOTr has also approved an additional round of targeted relief assistance under the Department of Social Welfare and Development's (DSWD) Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situations (AICS) program.

“We are examining possible implementation arrangements. We will continue to advance social protection mechanisms to help affected transport workers,” DSWD spokesperson Assistant Secretary Irene Dumlao said. — Lyjah Tiffany Bonzo/MCG, GMA News