CITY OF SAN FERNANDO — The Department of Transportation (DOTr) and the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) have commenced the nationwide rollout of fuel subsidies to 1.18 million operators and 245,066 drivers to cushion the blow of the national energy emergency.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. personally oversaw the initial distribution at the Parañaque Integrated Terminal Exchange (PITX) on Tuesday, signaling the activation of the UPLIFT framework across all regions, including Central Luzon.
For the thousands of transport workers navigating the MacArthur Highway and Jose Abad Santos Avenue, the aid arrives as a critical, albeit temporary, lifeline as diesel prices hover near the ₱130-per-liter mark.
Under the approved guidelines, traditional jeepney operators—the backbone of Pampanga’s provincial routes—will receive ₱5,000 per unit. Modern jeepney operators, who face higher amortization costs, are allocated ₱10,000 per unit.
Drivers are not excluded from the relief; traditional and modern jeepney drivers will receive ₱1,500 each, while bus and school transport drivers are slated for a higher ₱5,000 payout.
The LTFRB confirmed that tricycle drivers and delivery riders, who make up a significant portion of the local economy, will see their ₱5,000 subsidies released immediately after the Holy Week.
To avoid the “subsidy queues” of the past, the government is pushing for a digital-first distribution through Fuel Subsidy Cards and electronic money issuers like LandBank, GCash, and Maya.
“The distribution through e-wallets is the best way to do it,” stated LTFRB Chairman Vigor Mendoza II, noting that this allows beneficiaries to receive funds without leaving their routes.
For those in rural Pampanga without digital access, local government units (LGUs) are tasked with determining physical distribution venues to ensure no tsuper is left behind.
Despite the influx of funds, local transport leaders remain skeptical of the program’s long-term efficacy. Danilo Yumul, chair of the Confederation of Passenger Transport in Central Luzon, highlighted that the current assistance barely covers a week of operational increases.
“We are barely making any profit,” Yumul told reporters, emphasizing that without a corresponding fare hike or a sustained subsidy tranches, the “emergency” will continue to drain the savings of local operators.
As a contingency, the PNP and local LGUs in towns like Floridablanca have activated ‘Libreng Sakay’ (Free Ride) programs to assist commuters stranded by sporadic transport protests and thinning margins.
Editor’s Note: PampangaToday.com reminds all operators to ensure their franchise records are updated with the LTFRB Regional Office III to avoid delays in subsidy crediting
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