Marcos: Bus operators get P10K fuel subsidy per bus unit

President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. on Tuesday announced that the government is providing bus operators P10,000 fuel subsidy per bus unit to help them cope with the rising cost of fuel due to the Middle East conflict.

"Nandito ako para tiyakin na ‘yung aming ginagawa na fuel subsidy ay maayos kasi mag-start tayo today. Pero hindi lamang dito sa Metro Manila pero all over the country na ito," Marcos said in a speech at the Parañaque Integrated Terminal Exchange (PITX) in Parañaque City.

(I am here to make sure that the distribution of fuel subsidy is orderly because today is the start. This is not just in Metro Manila but also all over the country.)

"So, I’m making sure na ‘yung sistema ay maging maayos (that the system is orderly). So, we are now providing 10,000 subsidy for each bus unit," the president added.

Marcos said the P10,000 fuel subsidy may be given via digital wallet, ATM, check, or cash.

"Tapos ‘yung method of payment, lahat ng klaseng method of payment puwede. We can do it via digital payment or mga GCash. You can go to the ATM, may mga card naman na may hawak naman – may card naman ‘yung mga driver natin, at saka lahat ng operator nag-issue ng card, puwedeng gamitin ‘yun," he said.

(All modes of payment are possible. We can do it via digital payment like GCash. You can go to the ATM. Our drivers have cards issued by operators. These can be used.)

"Mayroon pa ring iilan na talagang gusto nila – ayaw nilang gawing digital. Puwede rin, puwedeng mag-issue ng cheque, at kung talagang kailangan, kahit cash puwede pa rin," Marcos added.

(Some however do not like digital [payments]. So we can issue a cheque, or if really needed, even cash.)

However, digital payment is easier, and more practical, he said.

Marcos also appealed to bus operators for their support and cooperation to ease commuters' hardship amid the present situation.

"So, tulungan ninyo naman kami para ‘yung mga ating riding public ay hindi masyadong mahirapan, unang-una, at hindi sila masyadong mabigatan sa pamasahe dahil nga alam naman natin kung ano ‘yung pangyayari – nagbabago ‘yung presyo ng langis all over the world," he said.

(So, help us so that our riding public will not be inconvenienced much, and first of all will not be burdened with the fare because we know what is happening – fuel prices are going up all over the world.)

"Kaya ito ang response ng pamahalaan. (So this is the government's response.) And, of course, we are always in need of assistance and support and cooperation with the operators, with the drivers, ‘yung buong sistema (the whole system)," Marcos said.

"So, this is what we are doing here now. We are having the briefing now from DOTr [Department of Transportation] at tiningnan namin ang mga (and we will check the) facilities. So far mukha namang maayos (they seem orderly)," he added.

Marcos also asked the bus operators to let authorities know if there are problems or if they think the system can be improved and be made more convenient for them and the riding public.

"Kung mayroong maging problema o kung mayroong sa palagay ninyo maging mas magandang sistema o to make it easier, make it faster, make it more convenient for you, for the riding public, sabihan niyo kami. And kung palagay namin ay kaya naming gawin para pagandahin pa ang sistema, please tell us. Dahil ang gusto natin is very – as convenient as possible, as easy as possible, at as quick – ‘yung mabilis as possible," he said.

(If there are problems or if you think there is a better system to make it easier, make it faster, make it more convenient for you, for the riding public, let us know. And if we think we can do it to improve the system, please tell us. Because what we want is that it will be as convenient as possible, as easy as possible, as quick as possible.)

Marcos said he is confident that with cooperation between the private sector and government, the riding public would get the service they deserve. —KG, GMA Integrated News