Pantawid Pasada cards reloading almost done

MANILA, Philippines - The Department of Energy (DOE) said it is nearly complete with the reloading of the Pantawid Pasada cards as it has finished reloading cards associated with jeepney plates ending in “6” and “7.”

“Beneficiaries may now use their cards in participating gas stations nationwide,” the DOE said in a statement.

Pantawid Pasada cardholders whose jeepneys’ plate numbers end with “0” to “5” have earlier been given new credits.

The DOE said it will need to reload only cardholders whose jeepneys plate number end with “8” and “9” in the coming weeks.

“Only jeepneys with Pantawid Pasada cards claimed before Dec. 31, 2011 and have been loaded with the initial amount of P1,050 within the same timeframe (May 2011 to December 2011), can now enjoy the P1,200 reload using their Pantawid Pasada cards,” DOE said.

The Pantawid Pasada Program is a P120-million government project to cushion the impact of high fuel prices.

“The temporary program is envisioned to alleviate the drivers who continue to face continued oil price hikes,” the DOE said.

Since the start of the year, there were already 10 oil price increases as against three price reductions.

As of March 20, the net price increase stood at P6.55 per liter for gasoline and P3.80 per liter for diesel, data from the DOE showed. There were no price adjustments last week.