Programs that aim to cushion the impact of rising costs of fuel.
On Thursday, August 6, the government announced new relief measures for drivers and operators of public utility vehicles (PUVs).
Foremost, during a Palace press briefing, Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said that the government is acting upon concerns raised regarding the Fuel Subsidy Program (FSP).
According to the concern raised by Manibela, many PUV drivers and operators continue to pay full price due to the limited number of accredited gasoline stations.
“Lahat iyan ay tinutugunan ng ating pamahalaan at sa lahat ng kanilang mga concerns ay makakaabot ito para matugunan nang mas mabilis kung ano iyong mga lugar na dapat pa na magkaroon ng mga gasoline stations na magbibigay ng fuel subsidy,” Castro said.
Meanwhile, she also confirmed that the fuel subsidy for the transport sectorvwill be increased from P10-per-liter to P12-per-liter
“Sa ganito na PhP2 ang increase from 10 to 12 pesos–ito ay makakapagbigay na rin ng ginhawa sa ating mga kababayan, sa transport sector dahil itinaas nga natin sa PhP12 kada litro,” the Palace Official told.
According to her, the government will be able to provide assistance worth P1,108 each week of P7,200 each month.
Although, initially, the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) recommended a P20-per liter assistance.
Meanwhile, the government has already earmarked P400 million for the expanded fuel discount program.
Castro also said the subsidy program will begin on August 15 (Saturday) and will remain in place for as long as transport workers continue to need government assistance.
“Sa ngayon ay walang definite na panahon. Hangga’t kailangan ng tulong ng ating mga kababayan sa transport sector ay mananatili ang pagbibigay ng ayuda,” she said.
Meanwhile, the Department of Transportation (DOTr) has also announced that a P1.5 billion worth of amortization assistance or the monthly P20,000 for each modern jeep unit being pained on installment basis by transport groups under the Public Transport Modernization Program (PTMP) will begin.
This will be used to help pay for their monthly amortization to government finance institutions (GFIs) luke Landbank and private banks.
“Ang bibigyang tugon na po namin ngayon at importansya are the existing participants [of PUV modernization],” he said. “‘Yung mga nakapasok na po d’yan, kailangan naming bigyan ng tulong.”
Lopez said the assistance aims to assist groups, with some already having their properties foreclosed due to economic struggles brought by surging fuel prices.
“Ang layunin po namin is to cover as many units as we can and to extend it to how many months as we can,” he added.
Furthermore, there will also be a P2,000 UPLIFT Cash Assistance to all drivers, which will be in partnership with the Department of Social Welfare and Development.
“Based sa usapan namin ni Secretary Rex, isasama na po ‘yung transport group dito [sa UPLIFT Cash assistance]. So, masasama na po sila sa next UPLIFT assistance natin,” Lopez divulged.
Toll fees for provincial buses in major tollways will also be waived starting August 10, allowing each bus to save P2,337 one-way or P4,674 for a round trip journey for buses plying along the North Luzon Expressway (NLEX), Subic–Clark–Tarlac Expressway (SCTEX) ans Tarlac–Pangasinan–La Union Expressway (TPLEX).
Each bus unit using the Magallanes, Makati to Calamba, Laguna portion of the South Luzon Expressway (SLEX) will save P1,022 each trip.
DOTr is also talking with the Parañaque Integrated Terminal Exchange (PITX) for the extension of waived terminal fees for PUVs until the end of the year.
Meanwhile, the monthly terminal fee for 86 parking terminals ng SM nationwide willnalso be waived starting August 15, Secretary Lopez confirmed.
