• CHERYL G. CRUZ
The per-liter price of gasoline will increase anew for the fifth consecutive week, starting tomorrow, while kerosene will end its downward adjustment for the last six weeks.
Oil companies announced over the weekend that gasoline will increase by P0.70 to P0.90/L, diesel by P0.30 to P0.60/L, and kerosene by P0.30 to P0.50/L, to reflect changes in the global oil price movements. Exact adjustments will be known today, May 25.
Effective May 19, the pump prices of gasoline and diesel increased by P1.21/L and P2.82/L, respectively, while kerosene rolled back by P2.11/L.
Meanwhile, the Landbank said it has facilitated P27.5 million in fuel discounts for more than 28,000 public utility jeepney (PUJ) and UV Express drivers, who transacted at participating gasoline stations nationwide, including in Bacolod and Negros Island Region, as of May 21.
The P10 per liter fuel subsidy program, launched in Metro Manila April 13 and then implemented nationwide, enables PUJ and UV Express drivers to avail of up to P1,500 in weekly fuel discounts from participating fuel stations, the bank said in a press release.
In Bacolod, the participating gasoline stations are Petron along Araneta and BS Aquino Drive and Shell at Araneta-Magsaysay and corner 18th Lacson Street; 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.
The weekly fuel discounts, automatically replenished every Monday to ensure continuous assistance, can be availed of by qualified drivers, who can confirm if they are included in the program by coordinating with their transport cooperative or operator, or by checking the official Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board list through its website.
To avail of the subsidy, qualified drivers simply need to proceed to any participating fuel station and inform the attendant that they will use the fuel subsidy. Upon validation of the PUV’s plate number and subsidy eligibility through the fuel subsidy system, the P10-per-liter discount is automatically deducted from the total fuel purchase, Landbank said.
This will eliminate the need for cash transactions or physical vouchers, with real-time validation and seamless subsidy application through a centralized database, it added. | CGC
