• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
The Negros Occidental provincial government has expressed its support to the proposal of the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board-Negros Island Region (LTFRB-NIR) to augment the fuel subsidy provided by the national government to public utility vehicle (PUV) drivers.
Provincial Administrator Rayfrando Diaz II said on Wednesday, March 11 he will present the one-time fuel subsidy proposal of LTFRB-NIR Director Gerry Llena to Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson for approval.
“As of now, it is not yet clear, however, how much is the LTFRB budget for it and the share of the local government units (LGUs),” Diaz said.
Llena, accompanied by First District Board Member Marxlen de la Cruz, met with Diaz on Wednesday to discuss the proposal.
He thanked Lacson and Diaz for being receptive to his proposal.
If approved by the governor, Llena said he will coordinate with Diaz in making guidelines on how to systematize the distribution of fuel subsidy augmentation.
Diaz said the Capitol subsidy would cover various PUV classifications, from jeepneys to tricycles.
“We will augment whatever the assistance to be given by the 31 LGUs in the province,” he added.
Transportation Secretary Giovanni Lopez announced on Wednesday that PUV drivers will start receiving P5,000 in fuel subsidy next week, as the government moves to cushion the impact of rising oil prices triggered by tensions in the Middle East.
The subsidy will initially be distributed in Metro Manila, with tricycle drivers under local government jurisdiction prioritized, followed by jeepney operators and drivers, and other transport sectors.
The assistance will be released through the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) using its Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS) program.
DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian said the subsidy rollout will be conducted simultaneously in Metro Manila to be followed by other regions nationwide.
Gatchalian said the DSWD has earmarked P30 billion from the AICS budget to ensure sustained assistance if the global oil crisis continues. | GB
