CALAMBA CITY, Laguna (PIA) – The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) in Calabarzon is assisting drivers and operators in the region for the government’s Fuel Subsidy Program, following the directive of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to the Department of Transportation (DOTr) to further support the transportation sector amid rising fuel costs.
During a radio interview with the Philippine Information Agency, LTFRB Calabarzon Regional Director Rudolph Dimas said that over 18,000 drivers and operators in the region have already been issued Pantawid Pasada Program (PPP) cards, where their P5,000 fuel subsidy assistance will be loaded for use.
Dimas highlighted that the agency is meticulously verifying records of drivers and operators to minimize possible complaints or reports of missed beneficiaries under the assistance program.
“18,000 drivers ang nabigyan na ng PPP cards and may tinitingnan na lang kami na 3,000 [additional drivers]. We expect [complaints] to happen. We hope not, but we are expecting na may mga magrereklamo diyan na bakit kami hindi nakatanggap.”
The LTFRB director also called on drivers and operators to properly comply with the application process and complete all necessary requirements to be included among the program’s beneficiaries.
“Until now naga-gather pa rin kami ng data kasi po is medyo nagkakaroon ng confusion sa mga format, mga template na binibigay namin at yun ay inaayos na. Hopefully sa atin dito sa IV-A pagdating sa Fuel Subsidy ay mayron na lang 3,000+ na hinahanap na data, and then ipapasok na namin yun sa LTFRB Central Office nang sa ganoon is alam nila kung gaano kadami ang bibigyan ng fuel subsidy,”
According to the latest report from the LTFRB Central Office as of April 7, nearly P1 billion has already been distributed to intended beneficiaries nationwide. In the Calabarzon region, a total of P99 million has been allocated to the agency, covering drivers and operators of modern and traditional jeepneys, UV Express units, regular and point-to-point (P2P) buses, TNVS partners, taxis, and tricycles.
Delivery service providers and motorcycle taxis are also included in the list of beneficiaries, the LTFRB said in a statement.
Following the guidance of LTFRB Chairperson Vigor Mendoza to further intensify coordination with government agencies and stakeholders for a more efficient and faster distribution process, Dimas said coordination with the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Calabarzon has been sustained.
Dimas expressed confidence that all fuel subsidies will be released to beneficiaries before the end of the month. (CH/PIA-Laguna)