Fuel Discount Subsidy for Philippine Transport Sector Raised to P12 Per Liter

MANILA, Philippines — The fuel discount subsidy for public utility jeepney and UV Express drivers will be increased to P12 per liter starting August 15, the Office of the Executive Secretary announced on Wednesday, August 5. The government office said the increase was decided during a Cabinet meeting led by Executive Secretary Ralph Recto at Malacañang on August 4. Drivers could save up to P1,800 a week once the increased subsidy takes effect, it added. “Ito ay dagdag sa inisyal na P10 na discount kada litro na sinimulan noong Abril, na nakatulong na sa mahigit 93,000 PUV (public utility vehicle) drivers,” the announcement read. Transport group MANIBELA welcomed the additional fuel discount but stressed its demand for a fare hike. “Malugod naming tinatanggap ang anumang hakbang na makapagpapagaan sa pasanin ng mga tsuper kabilang ang ipatutupad na fuel discount simula August 15. Ngunit nais naming idiin na hindi ito sapat at hindi ito kapalit ng matagal na naming panawagan para sa makatarungang dagdag-pasahe,” MANIBELA’s statement read. MANIBELA said that only increasing the minimum fare can help drivers cope with the continued rise in local oil and fuel prices amid renewed tensions in West Asia. “Ito ang agarang nadaragdag sa kanilang araw-araw na kita at hindi na nila kailangang makiusap o makipagtalo pa sa mga gasolinahan upang makuha ang benepisyo,” the group added. They also told the government not to use the fuel subsidy as a substitute for a fare hike to reject their demands. “Hindi dapat gamitin ang fuel discount bilang dahilan upang ipagkait ang nararapat na fare increase,” MANIBELA said. This week, local pump prices fell by only a few centavos after two consecutive weeks of major increases.