LTFRB eyeing to expand, increase fuel subsidies for PUVs

INQUIRER FILES MANILA, Philippines — The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) on Saturday said it plans to expand and increase fuel discounts for the public utility vehicle (PUV) sector amid a series of new oil price hikes. According to the LTFRB, Transport Secretary Giovanni Lopez instructed the agency to hold discussions on the proposed initiatives, aside from reviewing fare increase petitions and calls from transport groups. READ: P10/liter fuel discount expanded to over 900 stations – DOE Article continues after this advertisement Last April, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. ordered a P10-per-liter fuel subsidy for PUVs amid the tension in the Middle East which significantly affected oil prices. The LTFRB noted that more than 87,000 PUVs already benefited from the program with more than 143,000 PUVs listed in its system. “Increasing and expanding the fuel discount is the most logical and practical measure in the middle of the uncertainty on the situation in the Middle East. This will be factored in the ongoing discussions,” LTFRB Chairperson Vigor Mendoza II said in a press release. While the agency acknowledged the support behind the proposal, Mendoza said that expansion and increase of fuel subsidies would need huge budgets. READ: LTFRB to review fare adjustments amid transport group protests Mendoza also said that the agency is currently discussing and reviewing the said proposal, as well as the fare adjustments. Article continues after this advertisement “We are looking into this proposal as the last option because the discussions on the matter are ongoing, and these discussions include public consultations with stakeholders nationwide,” Mendoza added. Transport group Manibela recently staged a two-day transport strike from July 22 to 23 to protest the oil price hikes and to call for the implementation of fare increases. /das Article continues after this advertisement Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again. Your subscription has been successful.