Transport group seeks P15/liter fuel subsidy amid oil price hikes

A transport group on Sunday is hoping that the government will consider increasing the per-liter fuel subsidy for public utility vehicles (PUVs) from P10 to P15 amid the recent increase in oil prices.

Melencio "Boy" Vargas, president of the Alliance of Transport Operators and Drivers Association of the Philippines (ALTODAP), said they recently had a consultation with the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB).

During the meeting, they were asked if they prefer a P15 per liter fuel subsidy or a P1 fare increase, said Vargas.

"Humingi po sa amin ng consultation ang kagalang-galang natin na LTFRB at pinag-aaralan ng LTFRB at DOTr na mas lakahin yung fuel discount sa mga fuel companies. Pinapili po kami...Kung bibigyan po kami ng fuel discount na P15 po, sa amin po, ayun ang nanaisin naming kaysa po yung P1 [fare hike]," he said in an interview with Super Radyo dzBB.

(Our respected LTFRB asked us for a consultation, and the LTFRB and DOTr are studying how to make the fuel discount larger at fuel companies. We were made to choose... If we are given a P15 fuel discount, for us, that is what we would prefer rather than the P1 [fare hike].)

If the P15-per liter fuel subsidy will be granted, ALTODAP is hoping that its implementation will be expanded to other areas to benefit more drivers.

"Hinihiling lang po namin doon ay palawakin po. Kasi mayroon pong ibang lugar na wala pong discount, kaya sabi naming i-nationwide na," said Vargas.

(All we are asking there is for it to be expanded. Since there are other places that do not have a discount, which is why we asked to make it nationwide.)

Last April, President Ferdinand ''Bongbong'' Marcos Jr. announced a P10-per-liter fuel subsidy for PUVs to ease the burden of drivers and operators amid the fuel price increases caused by the crisis in the Middle East.

Marcos earlier said fuel subsidy for PUVs would be capped at 150 liters per week, adding that it would be implemented for three months. It will be implemented first in Metro Manila.

With the jeepney minimum fare currently at P13, the LTFRB recently said it will recompute the “appropriate” fare adjustment, taking into account calls from the Samahang Manibela Mananakay at Nagkaisang Terminal ng Transportasyon (Manibela) for a P2 increase and a pending petition from the Pinagkaisang Samahan ng mga Tsuper at Operator Nationwide (PISTON) for a P10 fare hike.

Another big-time hike in pump prices is expected next week with price adjustments of diesel seen between P6 to P6.50 per liter, and of gasoline at P5.50 to P6.00 per liter. —Vince Angelo Ferreras/RF, GMA News