PH GOV’T ROLLS OUT TRANSPORT SUBSIDIES, FARE DISCOUNTS TO OFFSET RISING FUEL COSTS

“PATULOY ang biyahe, patuloy ang hanapbuhay.”

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Thursday said the government will roll out a nationwide transport assistance package starting April 15, including subsidized fares and fuel discounts, as part of the effort to cushion the impact of rising oil prices.

President Marcos noted that the measures include implementing the Department of Transportation’s (DOTr) Service Contracting Program, offering payments to drivers and operators and at least a 20 percent fare discount for commuters, alongside a fuel subsidy for public utility vehicles.

“Kaya naman simula April 15, ipapatupad ng DOTr ang Service Contracting Program. Sa ilalim ng programang ito, babayaran namin ang ating mga operator at driver ng mula P40 hanggang P100 kada kilometro. Dagdag ito sa kanilang kita mula sa pamasahe,” the President said following a meeting of the Unified Package for Livelihoods, Industry, Food, and Transport (UPLIFT) Committee.

President Marcos noted that the UPLIFT Committee convened to discuss the latest developments in the Middle East and assess government measures to mitigate their impact on the country, particularly the continued rise in fuel prices.

For commuters, the Chief Executive said the government will provide at least a 20 percent fare discount, with routes designed to connect to train lines and major bus corridors to ensure faster, more efficient, and more reliable travel.

“Ipapatupad ito sa buong bansa. Sasaklaw sa humigit-kumulang 50,000 na PUV, 1,000 operator at aabot sa 15 milyong pasahero,” President Marcos added.

“Ang Service Contracting Program ay ipapatupad sa off-peak hours upang masigurong may masasakyan pa rin ang ating mga kababayan kahit hindi sa rush hour. Lahat ng sasali ay may GPS monitoring para naman matiyak na actual ang biyahe at maayos ang serbisyo. Patuloy ang biyahe, patuloy ang hanapbuhay,” the President said.

President Marcos also said, “Hindi pa tayo titigil doon. Magpapatupad tayo ng P10 kada litro na bawas para sa public utility vehicle na may maximum na 150 liters kada linggo sa loob ng tatlong buwan.”

The President added that the rollout will begin in the National Capital Region next week, initially along Commonwealth Avenue before expanding to Quezon Avenue, España, Zapote, A. Bonifacio, Rizal Avenue, and Marcos Highway, with plans for nationwide implementation.

Officials said the measure aims not only to reduce transport costs but also to help curb increases in food prices and other basic goods.

“Ang fuel subsidy ay ipapatupad lamang sa mga lehitimong gasoline station na aprubado at mino-monitor ng Department of Energy upang masigurong mapupunta ito sa tama at hindi ito maabuso,” President Marcos said.

The Chief Executive added that the government is implementing measures to ensure the continued stability of daily life for Filipinos, emphasizing that all decisions are guided by a single objective—to protect the public amid ongoing challenges.