• CHERYL G. CRUZ
Drivers and operators with expired, inactive, or lost fuel subsidy cards are urged to promptly coordinate with Landbank for card validation or replacement, the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) said.
Early processing will help avoid delays once the subsidy program is officially activated, the LTFRB said, adding it is now preparing for the timely rollout of the subsidy to all qualified beneficiaries, including those with existing fuel subsidy cards that are expired, inactive, or lost.
In anticipation of the increase in global fuel prices due to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, the LTFRB has started the preparations for the possible distribution of fuel subsidy to thousands of public utility vehicle (PUV) operators and drivers, who are expected to suffer the brunt of the oil price surge amid the escalating conflict in the Middle East.
LTFRB chairperson, Atty. Vigor Mendoza, said the preparations include necessary coordination and documentary requirements to ensure that the funds will be immediately downloaded to the beneficiaries as soon as the go signal is given.
“This is what we are doing right now to make sure that the distribution would be fast and efficient when the time comes,” he said in a statement March 6, adding the Board “is making sure that all the operator-beneficiaries will have the cards where the fuel subsidy will be downloaded, through LandBank.”
Around P2.5 billion has been earmarked by the government for the fuel subsidy…to ensure maximum assistance to drivers and operators amid the escalating tensions in the Middle East, the Department of Transportation said, adding the fuel subsidy is distributed when the price of oil reaches $80 per barrel in the world market.
All LTFRB regional directors have been instructed to coordinate with the transport sector in their respective areas with regard the “one-time, big-time assistance package that will cover more than a month of increase in the prices of petroleum products,” Mendoza said. | CGC
