MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Tuesday announced the release of an additional P1.38 billion to support transport workers impacted by skyrocketing fuel costs.
In a video message, Marcos said distribution of the additional assistance would be rolled out starting next week.
“More than 256,000 transport workers in Metro Manila have already received P5,000 in cash assistance. There is still P1.28 billion to be distributed. Nationwide distribution will begin on April 6,” he said in Filipino.
The cash aid covers drivers and operators of modern and traditional jeepneys, UV Express, passenger and point-to-point buses, Transport Network Vehicle Service (TNVS) partners, taxis, tricycles, multicabs, and delivery services.
The chief executive noted that P2.5 billion in fuel subsidies was initially allocated for the more than 1.4 million driver-beneficiaries and unit operators.
The fuel subsidy distribution is only one of the government’s several initiatives to soften the blow of rising pump prices triggered by hostilities in the Middle East.
Other mitigating measures the government has implemented include a 50-percent fare discount for LRT-2 and MRT-3; free rides in Metro Manila, Metro Cebu, and Metro Davao; and toll discounts for jeepneys, buses, and freight food transport in the Northern Luzon Expressway (NLEX), Southern Luzon Expressway (SLEX), and STAR Tollway.
