LTFRB Considers Expanding Fuel Discounts for Public Utility Vehicles Amid Price Hikes

MANILA, Philippines — After a series of oil price hikes, the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) is studying the possibility of expanding and increasing the fuel discounts given to public utility vehicles or PUV sector. LTFRB Chairman Vigor Mendoza II said the board is discussing on whether to sustain, expand and increase the discount, as an alternative to cover the sector’s additional operational costs, while the petitions for fare hikes remain pending. “We are factoring everything in the conduct of review and re-computation,” Mendoza said, noting the difficulties in arriving at a conclusion as “the situation in the Middle East remains unpredictable and unstable.” Mendoza said that the fuel discount increase and expansion is “the most logical and practical measure.” He noted, though, that this would require higher budgets. “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 said. LTFRB data showed that over 87,000 of 143,000 PUVs in the country, including jeepneys and UV Express, have benefited from the government’s P10-per-liter fuel discount.