Gov’t starts distribution of P7,200 fuel subsidy for jeepney drivers

The government has started the distribution of the P1-billion fund for the fuel subsidies of public utility jeepney (PUJ) drivers, amounting to P7,200, to ease their financial burden due to the increase in petroleum prices.

“According to Landbank, as of yesterday, they were able to credit the amount of P7,200 to 78,000 beneficiaries,” Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board National Capital Region (LTFRB-NCR) director Zona Tamayo said during the virtual launch of the Fuel Subsidy Program on Wednesday.

Late last month, the Development Budget Coordination Committee (DBCC) approved the release of P1 billion to the LTFRB for cash grants to public utility vehicle (PUV) drivers.

The LTFRB later clarified that the fuel subsidy was solely for PUJ drivers since the sector has the largest percentage in terms of public transport coverage.

Tamayo said those with existing Pantawid Pasada Program cards will have to check their account balance at any Landbank ATMs to know if the fuel subsidy has been credited to their accounts.

For beneficiaries who do not have their fuel cards yet, the LTFRB official said they have to coordinate with their respective LTFRB regional offices for the schedule of the printing of their cards.

“Para malaman ang schedule kung kailan sila pupunta sa designated Landbank branch nila to get their cards,” Tamayo said.

(To know the schedule when they will go to their designated Landbank branch to get their cards.)

According to the LTFRB, more than 136,000 valid franchise holders of PUJs nationwide will benefit from the Pantawid Pasada Fuel Program.

Each recipient will receive a one-time Pantawid Fuel card containing P7,200 as fuel subsidy for this year.

The agency said the Pantawid Pasada Fuel card is valid for fuel purchases only at participating petroleum retail outlets or gasoline stations with the “Pantawid Pasada Card Accepted Here” signages.

The LTFRB noted that any violation in the use of the card such as purchase of other products aside from fuel using the card will automatically disqualify the card owner from the Pantawid Pasada Fuel Program and its benefits.

The program was initially implemented in 2018 and 2019 in compliance with the provisions of R.A. No. 10963, otherwise known as the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) Law.

The House ways and means committee had approved the substitute bill on the proposed measures recommending the reduction or suspension of the excise tax on fuel products amid their increasing prices.

The approved bill aims to reduce excise taxes on diesel, kerosene, and liquified petroleum gas to zero. Excise taxes on low-octane gasoline, which is often used by tricycle drivers, will also be reduced to P4.35.

On the other hand, taxes on premium gasoline will be retained at P10.

Quezon City Representative Jesus "Bong" Suntay, one of the lawmakers pushing for the suspension of excise tax, expressed confidence that this measure would be supported by the senators.

Suntay said the bill could be approved in the lower chamber before December.

"But I'm sure the senators would also want to give it as a Christmas gift to the Filipino people," Suntay said during the Ugnayan sa Batasan forum.

House lawmakers have proposed a suspension of six months.

"Of course it would have been better if longer but we also considered the position of the national government and [the] need to generate additional revenues," Suntay said. —AOL/VBL, GMA News