Manila: The Department of Transportation (DOTr) on Tuesday announced the fuel subsidy amounts that drivers and operators of different public utility vehicles (PUV) will receive as part of the government's response to rising fuel prices.
According to Philippines News Agency, the DOTr stated in a Facebook post that there are 137,218 traditional jeepneys registered in the country. Their operators will receive PHP5,000 per unit, while their drivers will each receive PHP1,500. For the 9,183 modern jeepneys, operators will receive PHP10,000 per unit, and drivers will each receive PHP1,500.
Public utility buses (PUB), including point-to-point (P2P) buses, will have their operators receive PHP10,000 for each unit, while drivers will each get PHP5,000. Minibus operators will receive PHP9,000 per unit, with drivers also receiving PHP5,000. There are 21,086 PUBs and 1,138 minibuses registered, along with 824 P2P buses, all with the same number of drivers.
A total of 4,351 school transport drivers will each receive PHP5,000. In the case of the 46,202 taxis, operators will each get PHP2,000, and drivers will receive PHP5,000. For the Filcab or Multicab transport, operators will receive PHP5,000 for each of the 7,659 units registered, with drivers getting PHP1,500.
Transport network vehicle service (TNVS) operators of the 54,745 units registered will receive PHP1,500. Meanwhile, operators of the 1,348 modern UV Express units will receive PHP10,000 per unit, while each driver will get PHP5,000. Traditional UV Express operators will receive PHP5,000 for each of the 16,057 units, with drivers receiving PHP5,000.
The subsidies will be distributed to operators through various means such as fuel subsidy cards, manager's checks, bank transfers, or e-wallet transfers. Drivers will receive their subsidies through cash or e-wallet transfers.
While subsidy distribution for tricycle drivers in the National Capital Region (NCR) began last week, a total of 723,000 tricycle operators and drivers will get their PHP5,000 subsidy after the Holy Week. Additionally, 157,972 registered delivery drivers will receive subsidies after the Holy Week.
Earlier, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. announced the expansion of the fuel subsidy distribution program at the Para±aque Integrated Terminal Exchange (PITX). The fuel subsidy distribution is a part of the Marcos administration's approach to addressing rising fuel prices in the Middle East.
On Monday, a 50 percent discounted fare for all passengers was launched at the Light Rail Transit Line 2 and the Metro Rail Transit Line 3.
