The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) will start the distribution of the Pantawid Pasada Fuel subsidy cards to jeepney drivers and operators in Bacolod City starting today.
This was revealed Friday, September 21, by Elizabeth Katalbas, president of the Federation of Bacolod Drivers Association (Febacda).
Katalbas said the distribution, based on the communication that she received, will start at 8 a.m. at the Sea Breeze Hotel.
She said she is not certain yet as to how many operators in Bacolod City will receive the fuel subsidy today which will be distributed by the LTFRB and the LandBank of the Philippines.
To claim the cards, the drivers and operators are required to bring any valid government-issued ID and its photocopy, and a 1×1 ID photo, based on the guidelines of the LTFRB.
The voucher cards were originally set to be given out on July 12.
However, following a change in the Pantawid Pasada program, specifically the change in giving the P5,000 fuel subsidy in one go instead of spreading the amount equally over six months, the Landbank of the Philippines, which is the designated outlet for the distribution of the fuel vouchers, needed time to modify its system, hence, the postponement.
Pantawid Pasada is the government’s fuel subsidy program for jeepney operators and drivers that seek to mitigate the impact of the recent oil price hikes and higher excise taxes due to the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion law.
The government targets to distribute around 10,000 cards for the initial implementation of the program.
A lump sum subsidy of P5, 000 will be provided to 179,852 legitimate PUJ franchise holders. A P977 million budget will be allocated to the fuel subsidy program for the succeeding months of 2018.