Over 600,000 tricycle drivers to receive fuel subsidy
THE DEPARTMENT of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) on Tuesday announced that 617,806 tricycle drivers nationwide will be receiving fuel cash subsidy under the agency’s program to address rising fuel prices.
In a statement, DILG Secretary Eduardo M. Año said the cash assistance will be distributed by the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) through e-wallet platforms, state-owned Land Bank of the Philippines (LANDBANK), and other off-site payout sites of local government units.
“We hope this fuel subsidy will help those tricycle drivers who are suffering because of the constant rise in oil prices,” he said in Filipino. “We hope this would give relief to these drivers.”
In March, the LTFRB started releasing fuel subsidy for other public transport operators and drivers, and said it was waiting for the beneficiary list of tricycle and delivery drivers from the DILG.
Mr. Año noted the subsidy will be distributed in three batches.
The first batch will be for the 539,395 tricycle drivers who will receive the cash aid through their e-wallet accounts; the second batch will be for the 73,233 who will avail of LANDBANK’S over-the-counter services; and the third will cover 5,178 drivers who will use on-site payout sites of local governments.
“All those included in the master list of qualified tricycle drivers will receive a fuel subsidy,” he said. “Let us just wait for additional details from the LTFRB.”
The DILG said about 766,590 tricycle drivers submitted their names for the master list, but 148,784 were disqualified due to lack of requirements and failing to meet the deadline.
Mr. Año also urged city and municipal mayors to establish help desks for the beneficiaries.
Oil companies imposed another round of price hike on Tuesday. From the start of the year to June 14, pump prices of diesel, gasoline, and kerosene have gone up by P41.15, P28.70, and P37.95, respectively. — John Victor D. Ordoñez
