Gov’t to give PHP 5,000 fuel aid to PUV, tricycle drivers
The Department of Transportation (DOTr) has announced that starting next week, March 17, qualified tricycle drivers, as well as jeepney, taxi, TNVS, and bus drivers will get their PHP 5,000 fuel subsidy as part of the government’s program to ease the burden of the rising fuel costs brought about by the US-Israel vs Iran conflict.
According to Transportation Secretary, Giovanni “Banoy” Lopez, the DOTr is coordinating with the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and local government units for the rollout of the fuel subsidy.
Lopez added that tricycle drivers in Metro Manila will be the first to receive the subsidy, followed by jeepney, taxi, Transport Network Vehicle Service (TNVS), and bus drivers.
“The President has instructed us not to let the situation worsen and to implement a whole-of-government approach. This was directed through the Office of the Executive Secretary, which is why we held a meeting earlier,” the transport chief said.
The DOTr and DSWD are working with the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB), Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), and Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) to validate the program’s beneficiaries.
Social Welfare Secretary Rex Gatchalian, meanwhile, said that PUV drivers in the provinces will also receive the aid.
“We’ll kick off the program in Metro Manila first, but the rollout will follow quickly. One after the other, it will happen, since the DSWD has nationwide offices that can carry out simultaneous payouts,” said Gatchalian.
