DOTr: Fuel subsidy rollout expected by fourth week of March

The government expects to begin rolling out fuel subsidies for transport operators and drivers by the fourth week of March to ease the impact of rising fuel prices, the Department of Transportation (DOTr) said Tuesday.

DOTr Secretary Giovanni Lopez said the program will be implemented once the agency receives the necessary funding clearance.

“Kapag mabibigyan kami ngayon ng [Notice of Cash Allocation], nag-request na tayo from [Department of Budget and Management] at we had the assurance na mabibigay nga ngayong linggo,” Lopez told GMA Network’s Unang Hirit in an interview.

(Once we obtain a Notice of Cash Allocation, we requested it from the Department of Budget and Management and we had the assurance that it would be given this week.)

“By the fourth week of this month, Marso po, masisimulan na rin natin ang fuel subsidy program sa ating mga bus operators at drivers…We’re going to do this nationwide po,” he added.

(By the fourth week of this month, March, we will also start the fuel subsidy program for our bus operators and drivers…We’re going to do this nationwide.)

Earlier, the DOTr said it has set aside P2.5 billion for a possible fuel subsidy program for transport workers amid rising fuel prices.

The DOTr’s subsidy fund will be released if global oil prices reach at least $80 per barrel for one calendar month, subject to certification from the Department of Energy (DOE).

“So kapag 'yan nagsimula ng pagsirit ng presyo ng langis ng March 1, hintayin natin hanggang March 30,” Lopez earlier said.

(So when the price of oil starts to skyrocket on March 1, let's wait until March 30.)

Lopez said the fuel subsidy will cover transport workers regulated by the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) under the DOTr:

• bus operators and drivers
• traditional and modern jeepney operators and drivers
• taxi drivers
• transport network vehicle service (TNVS) drivers
• delivery riders from different platforms
• tricycle drivers (beneficiary lists will come from local government units)

Aside from subsidies for drivers and operators, the DOTr is also planning to offer free rides under the Libreng Sakay program to help commuters with the rising transportation costs.

Under the scheme, the government will pay transport operators and drivers through service contracting. —AOL, GMA Integrated News