PUV DRIVERS TO GET P5,000 FUEL SUBSIDY

THE Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) will begin distributing P5,000 financial aid to public utility vehicle (PUV) drivers directly affected by rising fuel prices amid the Middle East crisis, following President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s directive.

During a press briefing at Malacañan Palace, DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian said the financial assistance will be distributed starting next Tuesday,  March 17, initially to tricycle drivers in Metro Manila.

“Tulad ng nasabi ni Secretary Banoy (Giovanni Lopez) na ang direktiba ng ating Pangulo ay gamitin ang lahat ng mga programa ng DSWD para maprotektahan natin ang mga mahihirap, marginalized, the poor and the vulnerable,” Gatchalian said.

Gatchalian said the DSWD’s 2026 budget includes more than P60 billion, with P30 billion already on standby and available for immediate use during a crisis.

“So, naka-standby na iyong 30 billion, handang-handa na ang DSWD, nakakasa na rin ang mga mayor and this is a whole-of-government approach,” said Gatchalian.

“Sa punto na ‘to, hindi na lang kasi sila public utility drivers kung hindi maituturing na natin silang mga individual in crisis situation dahil apektado na ang kanilang mga hanapbuhay – at diyan papasok ang AICS or the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation program ng DSWD,” he said.

Gatchalian said drivers of other PUVs, such as jeepneys, taxis, UV Express, buses, and TNVS, as well as all those affected by the increase in fuel prices, are considered individuals in a crisis situation and will also receive the financial assistance.

The DSWD Secretary said during their meeting with Executive Secretary Ralph Recto, Department of Transportation (DOTr) Acting Secretary Giovanni Lopez and Metro Manila mayors that they have decided to start the distribution by Tuesday next week.

“Tulad ng direktiba ng Pangulo, hindi na ‘to tatagal – as soon as Tuesday, tuluy-tuloy na ho ‘tong aarangkada hanggang sa matapos namin,” said Gatchalian.

For his part, Lopez said President Marcos is aware of the challenges arising from the Middle East conflict.

“So, ang utos po sa atin ng ating Pangulo, huwag na natin hayaang mas lumala pa ang sitwasyon at kailangan ng whole-of-government approach dito,” said Lopez.

Lopez said the DOTr also has several programs to help out the transport sector, such as the fuel subsidy and the Service Contracting Program (SCP). The SCP is a government initiative that provides cash subsidies through payouts to affected public utility vehicle (PUV) drivers for contracting public transport services.

Lopez said the President had told them not to wait for the condition of breaching the $80 per barrel to start the financial assistance.

Lopez said the Chief Executive had already ordered them to begin implementing government subsidies and other assistance to ease the burden on vulnerable sectors.

“Although ang problema lang po dito, may mga kondisyon, mayroon po tayong sinasabi na kailangan ma-trigger muna iyong 80 dollars per barrel for one calendar month. At ang pinanggagalingan naman ng ating Pangulo, hindi na natin kailangang antayin pa ‘yan, kaya through the efforts of the President and the Executive Secretary, nakiusap na rin po kami sa DSWD, kay Secretary Rex,” Lopez said.

San Juan City Mayor Francis Zamora, current National President of the League of Cities of the Philippines (LCP), said their organization fully supports the program of President Marcos to ease the burden of those affected by the oil price increase, especially those in the public transport sector.

Other officials who attended the press briefing were Manila City Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso and Pasay City Mayor Imelda Calixto-Rubiano.