A total of 141,724 units of passenger jeepneys and UV Express are qualified to avail of the P10/liter discount subsidy nationwide, including in the Negros Island Region, the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board said May 18.
LTFRB chairman Vigor Mendoza II said the number covers all regions, and was based on the database of qualified beneficiaries of the agency, adding that 12,688 of these units have had successful transactions.
The fuel discount subsidy was originally launched in selected gasoline stations in Metro Manila and then implemented nationwide. From about 50 participating gasoline stations, Mendoza said the number increased to 4,299 nationwide.
In NIR, the participating gasoline stations include Petron along Araneta and BS Aquino Drive and Shell in Araneta-Magsaysay and corner 18th Lacson Street, all in Bacolod; Seaoil in Talacagay, Hinobaan in Negros Occidental; Petro Gazz in Amlan, and Petron and Flying V in Guihulngan in Negros Oriental; and Petron in Poblacion, San Juan in Siquijor.
Qualified jeepney and UV Express drivers can avail of fuel discounts for up to a maximum of 150 liters per week, the LTFRB said.
Only PUVs with existing and valid franchises are included in the database for a 150-liter ceiling every week, the Board said in a press release. “Once the license plate was confirmed to be enrolled in the program, the discount will automatically apply, which means that the driver will just pay the discounted price per visit to the gas station.”
The LTFRB was tasked to maintain custody and control of the budget allocated for the fuel subsidy program and shall allocate and transfer the funds to the Land Bank of the Philippines for the administration, processing, settlement, and crediting of fuel subsidy amounts to participating gasoline stations.
So far, the national government already paid over P13.3 million since the program started, following the spike in global oil prices due to tensions in the Middle East.
Aside from the discount, qualified PUV drivers and operators also received P5,000 in fuel subsidy each. Service contracting program was also expanded to maximize the assistance to commuters, the LTFRB said. ||
