Almost 64,000 PUVs benefit from fuel subsidy in first 2 days of implementation
MANILA, Philippines — A total of 63,864 public utility vehicle (PUV) units have already benefitted from the government's fuel subsidy program — an initiative currently in place to cushion the blow of oil price hikes.
This was according to the data released by the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) on Thursday, a day after the Commission on Elections exempted the program from the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan election spending ban.
The LTFRB shared a list of operators who received the subsidy since September 13:
- first day (23,047)
- second day (40,817)
"In the same data, we found out that most of the initial recepients of the subsidy were operators of Traditional Public Utility Jeepney (TPUJ) operators," said the LTFRB in Filipino on Thursday.
"Included in the fuel subsidy beneficiaries also were operators of Mini-bus (MB), Tourist Transport Services (TTS), School Transport Services (STS), and Filcabs."
The LTFRB likewise assured the public that they would continue distributing the aid as the prices of petroleum products continue to rise.
Fuel pump prices went up for the 11th consecutive week as increases in gasoline, diesel and kerosene continue to spike — pushing food manufacturers to request the Department of Trade and Industry to increase as well.
Various transport groups are currently petitioning for fare hikes due to the said oil price hikes, a move opposed by over 71% of Metro Manila commuters, according to an informal survey by The Passenger Forum.
Progressive groups have long been clamoring for the repeal of the Oil Deregulation Law, which they say is "empowering" oil companies to overprice and manipulate the local pump prices at the expense of consumers.
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