President Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ Marcos announced on Tuesday that bus operators nationwide will receive a ₱10,000 fuel subsidy per bus unit, during a cash aid distribution for public utility vehicles (PUVs) at the Parañaque Integrated Terminal Exchange (PITX).

Marcos said the subsidy aimed at helping operators cope with rising fuel costs due to the Middle East conflict.

“Hindi lamang sa Metro Manila pero all over the country na ito, So I’m making sure ‘yung sistema ay maging maayos. We are now providing P10,000 subsidy for each bus unit,” Marcos said in a speech at PITX.

At PITX, 27 bus operators and 1,096 units received financial assistance.

Marcos stressed the flexibility of payment methods, “lahat ng klase ng method of payment pwede. You can do it via digital payment or via Gcash, you can go to the ATM…pwede mag-isyu ng cheque at kahit cash pwede pa rin.”

The President appealed to operators and drivers to help ensure that public commuters would not be burdened.

“Tulungan ninyo naman kami para ang ating riding public ay hindi masyadong mahirapan, unang-una, at hindi sila masyadong mabigatan sa pamasahe dahil nga alam naman natin kung ano ‘yung pangyayari...Nagbabago yung presyo ng langis all over the world. Kaya't ito ang response ng pamahalaan,” the President appealed.

“Kaya ito ang response ng pamahalaan. We are always in need of assistance and support and cooperation with the operators, with the drivers and ‘yung buong sistema,” he added.

Marcos concluded by underlining the government’s focus on modernization: “We are working on the car company. We are working on the digital payment for the future. So, we are helping the drivers of our riding public," he said.

"Thank you all for being part of the solution of the continued movement of the country. Thank you all for being part of the solution of the continued movement of the country. Thank you all for being part of the solution of the continued movement of the country," the President added.

DOTr Secretary Giovanni Lopez also confirmed the nationwide rollout of the program, emphasizing the government’s commitment to easing the operational costs of public transportation.