Marcos leads cash payout to PUV drivers affected by oil price shocks

President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. on Tuesday led the distribution of P5,000 cash assistance for drivers of public utility vehicles who are gravely affected by the oil price shocks. 

Marcos visited the payout site in Sta. Mesa, Manila together with key government officials. 

“This is just the beginning of the distribution. This is something that we have to do because of the sudden increase in oil prices,” Marcos said. 

He said the government would prioritize first the tricycle drivers, followed by the drivers of jeepneys and the TNVS.

Marcos ensured that the government is monitoring the developments in the escalating tension in the Middle East. 

“Nandito tayo, nandito ang pamahalaan, talagang binabantayan natin kung ano ang bagong pangyayari, kung anong bagong dadating para matiyak na patuloy na makakapaghanap-buhay ang ating mga kababayan,” Marcos said. 

(We are here, the government is here, and we are really monitoring what the new developments are to ensure that our countrymen can continue to earn a living.)

Executive Secretary Ralph Recto, in a separate press release, said the program aims to help 396,352 public transport drivers in Metro Manila.

The first payouts started on March 17 with 97,047 tricycle drivers getting cash aid through the joint efforts of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), the Department of Transportation (DOTr), and local government units (LGUs).

“Under their division of labor, LGUs will set up the payout sites eligible tricycle drivers can go to,” Recto said.

The program will be implemented nationwide by April once the DSWD, DOTr, and the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) have finalized the list of the beneficiaries.

Recto also said the government would launch a “Libreng Sakay” program so that the burdens of commuters can be eased amid the rise in the prices of basic goods.

“We are doing an inventory of what we can deploy, and who can participate,” Recto said.

“There will be various modalities. We can deploy government-owned vehicles, for example. Or even contract buses and designate these as fare-free rides. We can ask also LGUs who run free bus services to extend the operating hours,” Recto said.

On Tuesday, Acting Transportation Secretary Giovanni Lopez announced that there will be a P1.00 fare increase for traditional jeepneys and a P2.00 hike for modern jeepneys 

Lopez said that the fare hike will take effect on Thursday. —VAL, GMA Integrated News