Assistance for drivers to be announced today

CEBU, Philippines - Department of Energy (DOE) officials will announce today the giving of P1,050 fuel assistance to each passenger jeepney in Cebu as the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) will also spend P3.4 million for a similar grant to tricycle franchisees throughout Central Visayas.

Energy Secretary Rene Almendras had said the government will implement the "Pantawid Pasada Program" due to the series of fuel price increases.

In Cebu City, a liter of gasoline now stands at P60 while a liter of diesel now costs close to P50.

In a gathering today, DOE-7 director Antonio Labios will explain how the public utility jeepney drivers can avail themselves of the government’s Public Transport Assistance Program (PTAP).

The program aims to extend assistance to jeepney and tricycle drivers affected by the increasing prices of petroleum products.

The granting of P1,050 to each PUJ driver and P150 per tricycle franchisee is not considered a subsidy but an assistance.

The government had allocated an initial P450 million out of the Special Account in the General Fund of the DOE for the program.

Land Transportation Office (LTO) regional director Raul Aguilos and Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) regional director Ahmed Cuizon have been invited to attend in today’s forum at Camp Sergio Osmeña Sr.

Under the program, a Pantawid Pasada Card worth P1,050 for each PUJ and P150 for each tricycle will be given to drivers or operators which will be presented to petroleum retail outlet.

The card cannot be used by more than one vehicle because it contains the unit’s plate number.

A PUJ driver may use the card to refuel one time or on staggered basis for a period of one month. The card has five-year validity and the beneficiaries are advised to keep it for future use.

DILG-7 public information officer Willie Jean Cabanag said the distribution of fuel assistance to tricycle drivers will be made in coordination with the local government units.

But Cabanag said only those vehicles with valid franchise and those registered annually are qualified to receive the card.

The card will only be used for fuel purchases at petroleum retail outlets or gasoline stations displaying “Pantawid Pasada Card accepted here.”

Petroleum retail stations will only honor the card if used for the vehicle bearing the plate number indicated in the card. The load of the card will be voided should the cards be tampered with. –/LPM (FREEMAN)