MEMBERS of the Federation of Jeepney Operators and Drivers Association for Baguio City, Benguet and La Union (FEDJODABLU) are set to receive fuel subsidy from government.
But this will only be after the government has finalized the guidelines in reviving its fuel subsidy program for jeepney drivers amid rising oil prices in the global market.
FEDJODABLU president Pat Evangelista said the federation welcomes the measure of government to grant subsidy amounting to P5,000 per operator.
“We appreciate the maximum subsidy the government will be offering. At least they have seen where the position of our jeepney operators and drivers is right now. However, we still have to see what this subsidy is in its entirety particularly on what the guidelines are,” Evangelista explained.
At present, Land Transportation and Franchising Regulatory Board (LTFRB) chairman Martin Delgra is working on the program’s guidelines with an estimated budget nearing P1 billion which aims to assist around 180,000 jeepney drivers and franchisers.
“This subsidy by the government maybe brought about by the impact of the Train law. We hope that our drivers and operators would gain from this fuel subsidy commensurate to our operational losses because at present, we are having a hard time operating our public utility jeepneys,” the transport leader stated.
Under the Train law, regular and premium unleaded gas went up by P7 per liter this year, and will rise by P9 in 2019, and P10 in 2021.
Prices for diesel for public transportation increased by P2.50 per liter in 2018, and will rise by P4.50 in 2019 and P6 in 2020, while prices for liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) rose by P1 per kilogram and will increase by a peso annually until 2020.
Asked if the fuel subsidy was a move by government to freeze the local federation’s request for a fare increase, Evangelista pointed out this was based on the continuing increase in fuel prices, lubricants and spare parts.
“Our position paper and evidences for our request for an increase in fare rate have been set to be forwarded to the LTFRB central office and hopefully DOTr will look at the possibility for our request. We understand the position of our ridding public and we are hoping that our commuters would understand our position too,” Evangelista added.