PUV drivers, operators to start receiving P6,500 fuel subsidy on March 15 — LTFRB

Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, March 11) – The government will start the distribution of fuel subsidies to public utility vehicles (PUV) drivers and operators on March 15, with each beneficiary to get P6,500, a transport official said Friday.

"Starting Tuesday po, we'll start distributing to the beneficiaries na po," Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) executive director Tina Cassion told members of the media in a Viber message.

The guidelines on the distribution of the assistance will also be released next week, she said.

The Department of Budget and Management said Thursday that the ₱2.5 billion has already been released to the Department of Transportation (DOTr).

More than 377,000 beneficiaries in the sector will receive the subsidy.

Qualified PUV drivers are those operating jeepneys, mini buses, UV express, taxis, and tricycles.

Drivers of transport network vehicle service (TNVS) and motorcycle taxis, as well as delivery services nationwide are also covered by the program.

Meanwhile, Grab Philippines also said it has created an assistance fund worth ₱25 million for its partner drivers.

That fund would "be utilized in the form of performance-based incentives and other partner support programs," it said in a statement.

Aside from this, Grab said it will extend its zero-interest loan support on fuel purchasing through Grab Finance Shell Fuel Card for its select drivers and delivery partners.

The company said these are intended to help its partners "overcome the adverse impacts of natural calamities and ongoing macroeconomic conditions."