The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) has temporarily suspended the distribution of fuel subsidies to public utility vehicle (PUV) drivers and operators due to the election public spending ban.
In an interview with GMA News “Unang Balita” on Monday, LTFRB executive director Maria Kristina Cassion said that about 110,200 PUVs beneficiaries have already received the subsidy as of March 29.
About 22,000 taxis and UV Express beneficiaries are undergoing document validation, Cassion said. Meanwhile, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) will provide subsidies for 27,000 delivery services.
To the tricycle drivers, the LTFRB said they are still waiting for the list of beneficiaries to come from the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG).
The public spending ban began on March 25 due to Election 2022, and the ban is effective until May 8, 2022.
Under Comelec Resolution No. 10747, a certificate of exemption is required to implement programs for social welfare projects and services even if there is an existing ban.
“Before the ban, nagkaroon tayo ng application sa Comelec for exemption at nagkaron na po tayo ng hearing. Right now, we are just waiting for the result of our application for exemption sa ban so we can continue distribution,” said Cassion.
While awaiting Comelec’s decision on their application, the LTFRB official said they continue to manufacture around 86,000 Pantawid Pasada Program (PPP) cards for other beneficiaries.
The government began providing P6,500 fuel subsidies to 377,000 qualified PUV drivers and operators in March to help them in the face of rising petroleum product prices.
Oil companies announced this Monday a rollback in the price of their products.
LTFRB halts distribution of fuel subsidy
Effective Tuesday, April 5, here is the amount of price adjustments to be implemented:
Caltex
GASOLINA -P2.30/L
DIESEL -P1.85/L
KEROSENE -P1.65/L
Shell, Seaoil
GASOLINA -P2.30/L
DIESEL -P1.85/L
KEROSENE -P1.65/L
Petro Gazz, PTT Philippines, Unioil
GASOLINA -P2.30/L
DIESEL -P1.85/L
Cleanfuel
GASOLINA -P2.30/L
DIESEL -P1.85/L
According to industrialists, there is a price cut because the United States will release oil reserves from its strategic petroleum reserves, and there are developments in the talks between Ukraine and Russia.
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