2nd batch of Pasada Cards now available

CEBU, Philippines — The second batch of Pasada Cards has arrived and Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) 7 Regional Director Eduardo Montealto urged jeepney operators to redeem the cards.

Montealto said the first batch of the Pasada Cards intended for Central Visayas were about 5,354 and 60 percent were already claimed.

There are about P5,000 cards for the second batch and only a few were claimed.

The Pantawid Pasada Program provides fuel vouchers in the form of cash cards to qualified franchise holders of jeepneys as one of the government’s flagship social mitigation measures.

The subsidy, amounting to P5,000 is funded by the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) Law.

The government has allocated a budget of P977 million during the implementation of the program last year.

It ensures that all qualified beneficiaries get timely assistance to mitigate the effects of the excise tax on fuel and the volatility of fuel prices in the world market.

The program is expected to cover approximately 180,000 qualified franchise holders nationwide.

Earlier, DOTr and LTFRB said the government will be distributing P3.5 billion worth of Pantawid Pasada Fuel Cards by this year.

DOTr has said the fuel card is valid for fuel purchases only at participating petroleum retail outlets or gasoline stations, with “Pantawid PasadaCard Accepted Here” sign posted.

It added that any violation in the use of the card (purchase of other products aside from fuel using the card) will automatically disqualify the card owner from the Pantawid Pasada Fuel Program and its benefits. (FREEMAN)