MANILA – The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) has issued a total of PHP3 billion for the implementation of the Department of Transportation’s (DOTr) fuel subsidy program (PHP2.5 billion) and the Department of Agriculture’s (DA) fuel discount program (PHP500 million) to provide targeted assistance to affected sectors and mitigate the impact of the consecutive oil price hikes in the last three months.
Under the fiscal year 2022 General Appropriations Act, the funds were charged from the regular budgets of the DOTr and the DA.
According to the DOTr’s fuel subsidy program, financial assistance amounting to PHP6,500 will be directly provided not only to affected jeepney drivers but also to qualified drivers of UV express, mini buses, buses, shuttle services, taxis, tricycles, and other full-time ride-hailing such as transport network vehicle service (TNVS) and motorcycle taxis, and delivery services nationwide.
The subsidy can be claimed by the identified 377,443 beneficiaries through cash cards from the Landbank of the Philippines.
The Land Transportation and Franchising Regulatory Board (LTFRB) has coordinated with the Department of the Interior and Local Government and the Department of Communication and Technology for the identification of beneficiaries, particularly on the list of qualified tricycle drivers, ride-hailing services and delivery services, respectively.
The fuel discount program of DA intends to provide fuel discounts to farmers and fisherfolk who own agricultural or fishery machinery, either individually or through organizations.
The fuel discount can be claimed through fuel discount cards (FDCs) which will be issued in partnership with the Development Bank of the Philippines.
The FDCs will subsequently be distributed to eligible beneficiaries by the DA’s Regional Field Offices.
The recipients can present their FDCs to the contracted oil companies or gas stations and claim a maximum amount of PHP3,000 fuel discount.
The DBM will continue to collaborate closely with implementing agencies to ensure the timely release of funds for the implementation of initiatives aimed at assisting the most affected sectors.
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