The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board is encouraging public utility vehicle (PUV) drivers and operators to have an e-wallet account for fast and comfortable receipt of the fuel subsidy.
For those who have either no means to have an e-wallet, or are not comfortable with such a mode of distribution, they could go to the scheduled distribution venues, the LTFRB said.
LTFRB chairperson, Vigor Mendoza II, explained that the use of e-wallets is the fastest and most comfortable way of receiving the fuel subsidy since beneficiaries would no longer need to fall into long queues at distribution venues.
“We always want to provide the best service as instructed by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and DOTr Secretary Giovanni Lopez. On our part, the distribution through e-wallets is the best way to do it,” Mendoza said in a statement March 19.
The LTFRB is preparing for the distribution of fuel subsidy to PUV drivers and operators affected by the soaring pump prices of petroleum products due to escalating tensions in the Middle East.
The fuel subsidy program intends to provide financial assistance to qualified public transport operators and drivers nationwide, and the LTFRB has invited all qualified electronic money issuers (EMIs) to serve as payment channel providers for an efficient, secure, and transparent distribution of the cash assistance.
The distribution of the fuel subsidy already started this week in Metro Manila, involving tricycle drivers, with those in the cities and provinces to follow.
Mendoza said he already instructed all regional directors to facilitate the updating and submission of data relative to the distribution of the fuel subsidy in their respective areas.
He also tasked them to ensure that all concerns of the beneficiaries must be immediately addressed. ||
