Fuel subsidy eyed for trike drivers

MANILA, Philippines — At least 1.2 million tricycle drivers and operators are being eyed for inclusion in the government’s fuel subsidy program, Interior and Local Government Secretary Eduardo Año said yesterday.

Año said he ordered local government units (LGUs) to submit the names of tricycle drivers and operators who are eligible to get fuel subsidies.

“More or less ang estimate is about 1.2 million tricycle drivers,” he said at a press briefing at Camp Crame in Quezon City.

Año said some LGUs have already submitted their list of beneficiaries.

The list will be forwarded to the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB), which is tasked to distribute the subsidy to beneficiaries from the transport sector who are affected by surging fuel prices.

Each beneficiary is entitled to P6,500 worth of fuel subsidy.

The LTFRB cannot resume yet the distribution of fuel subsidies to PUV drivers and operators despite the agency’s exemption from the public spending ban by the Commission on Elections (Comelec).

The approval of the LTFRB’s exemption comes with strict conditions set by the Comelec, which the transport agency needs to comply with before resuming the cash payout.

The conditions will be contained in the Comelec resolution that was yet to be released as of yesterday.

LTFRB executive director Kristina Cassion said the agency could not restart the financial aid distribution until the Comelec issues a resolution.

“We cannot respond accordingly to these conditions. We still cannot resume (the fuel subsidy distribution), much as we want to. We want to finish the first tranche so we can focus on the preparations for the second,” Cassion told reporters yesterday.

Under Comelec Resolution 10747, government agencies are banned from implementing social welfare projects and services from March to May.

Government agencies, however, may apply for an exemption.

While waiting for the Comelec resolution, Cassion said they were negotiating with Land Bank of the Philippines, which is distributing the cash subsidy to PUV drivers and operators, to accept their authority to debit for the beneficiaries.

“What we forwarded are news links of the Comelec’s announcement so that when the resolution finally gets released, the cash subsidy would only need to be credited,” Cassion said.

Since the suspension, the LTFRB has distributed fuel subsidy to over 109,000 jeepney drivers and 1,207 bus drivers.

Poe, Lacson laud Comelec

Senators lauded the Comelec’s decision to allow the LTFRB to continue the distribution of fuel subsidy.

Sen. Grace Poe urged the government to ensure that the cash subsidy will reach PUV drivers and operators affected by the pandemic and rising oil prices.

“We urge the LTFRB to speed up the release of the cash aid through digital payments such as e-wallet,” Poe said.

Sen. Panfilo Lacson commended the Comelec for its swift action on the LTFRB petition for exemption from the election spending ban. – Neil Jayson Servallos, Cecille Suerte Felipe