MALACAÑANG said the government is addressing the shortage of gasoline stations participating in the P12 fuel discount program.
This comes after the transport group Manibela said most public utility vehicle (PUV) drivers are still paying the full price of oil because of the limited number of participating stations. “In our daily experience, us drivers often fail to avail of fuel discounts because gas station systems are offline, participating stations are limited or the promised discount is not granted,” the group said in a statement. Presidential Communications Office Undersecretary Claire Castro said the government will “act quickly” to get more gasoline stations into the initiative. The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) said about 87,000 PUV drivers have benefited from the program. Castro said the government is identifying specific areas where additional gas stations are needed to provide the discount to transport workers. Under the adjusted assistance package, the fuel discount rate was raised from P10 to P12 per liter to cushion the impact of rising petroleum prices on transport operators. With the P2 rate increase, PUV operators and drivers can now receive up to P1,800 weekly in government assistance. According to Malacañang estimates, the subsidy translates to potential monthly savings or additional take-home earnings of P7,200 for public transport drivers. Responding to inquiries about earlier proposals by the LTFRB for a P20 subsidy, Castro said the current P12 rate was structured within the allocated budget of P400 million. Castro confirmed that implementation begins on Aug. 15 and will continue as long as transport workers require financial aid.The duration of the funding allocation is still being evaluated, but it will continue while high fuel prices persist, she said.
