The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) will start distributing fuel subsidies to public transportation operators starting today.
This initiative aims to alleviate the economic strain caused by soaring oil prices.
Guided by memorandum circular no. 2023-038, which outlines the framework for the Pantawid Pasada Program (PPP) or Fuel Subsidy Program (FSP), a wide spectrum of public transportation operators will be eligible for subsidies. These include operators of public jeepneys (PUJs), Filcabs, UV Express (UVE), minibuses, public buses (PUBs), Shuttle Services, Taxis, Tourist Transport Services, School Transport Service, Transportation Network Vehicle Services, Delivery Services, and Tricycles.
Specifically, operators of modern PUJs and UVEs that meet the program’s criteria will receive a subsidy of P10,000 each. Operators of other public transport, whether modern or traditional, will be entitled to a P6,500 subsidy.
The Department of Information and Communications Technology and the Department of Trade and Industry are overseeing the provision of a P1,200 subsidy to eligible delivery service riders. Tricycle drivers, under the purview of the Department of Interior and Local Government, will receive a subsidy of P1,000.
LTFRB chairperson Teofilo Guadiz III emphasized that the subsidy distribution will be impartial, ensuring that all types of public transport, regardless of their modernity, receive the support they require, despite varying costs involved.
