CLARK FREEPORT -- The Department of Transportation (DOTr), through its Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB), has distributed a total of P724 million as cash subsidy to public utility vehicle (PUV) operators.
The government provided assistance to the transport sector, one of the industries seriously affected by the Covid-19 pandemic.
"Naipamahagi na ng Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) at Department of Transportation (DOTr) ang mahigit P724 million na cash subsidy sa mga operator ng pampublikong bus at jeepneys o public utility vehicles (PUVs) na apektado ang kabuhayan dahil sa coronavirus disease 2019 (CovidD-19) pandemic," said LTFRB Chairman Martin Delgra III.
He said the funds are included in the P1.158-billion budget for Direct Cash Subsidy Program under the "Bayanihan To Recover As One Act" o Bayanihan 2.
"Magpapatuloy ang pamimigay ng subsidies sa mga naapektuhang mga operator ng pampublikong bus at mga jeepney. Ito ay patunay na determinado ang pamahalaan na sila ay tulungang makabangon, at 'di sila pababayaan habang dumaranas tayong lahat ng hagupit ng pandemya," Delgra said.
The LTFRB earlier said that over 110,000 PUV operators had received direct cash subsidy from the government since the start of the program last November 16, 2020.
The agency disclosed that operators P6,500 for every PUV unit franchise.
Delgra said that some 62 percent (P724,516) of the P1.158 billion were already distributed to the PUV operators as of November 27, 2020.
He said the remaining 37.47 percent or P434,060 will be distributed to the PUV operators this week.
"Naipadala na sa mga operator na may "non-LBP accounts" ang P48,106,500 na subsidya," LTFRB chief said.