LTFRB waiting for fuel subsidy funds amid oil price hikes

The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board is waiting for word from the Department of Transportation as regards the P1.6-billion fund for subsidies in the public transportation sector in the wake of recent fuel price increases.

According to Mark Salazar's report on "24 Oras," the Department of Energy as early as March certified that the subsidy program should take effect after the proce of crude oil breached $80 per barrel.

“Last month, nag-certify na po ang DOE to LTFRB, DOTr, at [Department of Agriculture] para i-trigger ang subsidy program dahil umabot na ng $80 last month pa lang,” DOE-Oil Industry Management Bureau Director Rino Abad said.

(Last month, the DOE certified to the LTFRB, DOTr, and DA that the subsidy program may be triggered because the price already breached $80.)

Operators and drivers of modern jeepneys are entitled to P10,000 worth of fuel subsidy under the program. Buses, mini buses, school buses, taxis, and traditional jeepneys, P6,500. 

Delivery riders are given a P1,200 fuel subsidy while tricycle drivers are provided with P1,000. 

“Meron batas that if the price of crude oil breaches 80 dollars per barrel, it will trigger the release of the fuel subsidy. Now, we are waiting for the advice from the DoTr para ibigay sa amin ang pondo para sa fuel subsidy,” said LTFRB Chairperson Teofilo Guadiz III.

(There is a law that states that if the price of crude oil breaches 80 dollars per barrel, it will trigger the release of the fuel subsidy. Now, we are waiting for the advice from the DoTr for the fund.)

For his part, Guadiz admitted there are still problems with the distribution of the government subsidy. 

“Nagkakaroon kami ng problema sa pagbabayad sa mga tricycle because this is being handled by DILG,” he said. 

(We still have problems with the distribution of aid to tricycle drivers because the DILG handles that.)

“Minsan kulang-kulang ang listahan kaya ang previous fuel subsidy hanggang iniatang at binigay ng gobyerno, ngayon hindi pa namin fully naibibigay,” he added. 

(The list is not complete so some of the previous fuel subsidy has yet to be fully disbursed.)

Instead of a subsidy, some PUJ drivers are calling for a fare increase amid the fuel price hike. 

“Pag muli nilang ilalabas 'yung kanilang ng petisyon, muli namin itong didinggin at kung may merito ang petition, we will consider their petition for a fare increase,” said Guadiz.

(We will hear it if they will file fare hike petitions. If their petition has merit, then we will consider their proposal.)