Around 1.3 million public transport drivers and operators will receive fuel subsidies from the government to help them cope with the rising prices of gasoline and diesel, the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) announced on Thursday, August 10.

According to LTFRB Executive Director Robert Peig, subsidies will be given to drivers and operators of public utility jeepneys, buses, taxis, shuttle services, school services, tourist services, transport network vehicles, tricycles, and even delivery riders.

Peig said that the majority of these subsidies will go to tricycle drivers nationwide.

Meanwhile, the executive director said that the Department of Transportation (DOTr) is waiting for the release of funds from the Department of Budget and Management, which is expected to happen before the end of August.

Fuel subsidies for the respective drivers/operators are listed below:

• Modern Jeepney: P10,000
• Modern UV Express: P10,000
• Traditional Jeepney: P6,500
• School/Shuttle/Tourist Service/TNVS: P6,500
• Delivery Rider: P1,200
• Tricycle Driver: P1,000

Drivers regulated by LTFRB will receive their subsidies through fuel cards, while those under the local government units, the Department of Information and Communications Technology and the Department of Trade and Industry, will get subsidies through e-wallets.

Peig noted that although the franchise holders are named by the LTFRB, they should pass on the subsidies to the drivers since they are the ones who are paying for the fuel.

The LTFRB urged drivers who had trouble getting their fuel cards to complain or report the operators who were withholding the cards from them.

There are no significant fuel price increases expected for the upcoming week, based on the first three days of this week.

During the first three days of the week, the cost of imported fuel, gasoline, and kerosene climbed by less than P0.50 per liter and P1 per liter, respectively.