Headline
PBBM wants tricycle drivers included in fuel subsidy program
In his first press briefing since he was sworn in as president, Marcos said tricycle drivers have been left out of the program that assists the transport sector amid the prevailing Covid-19 pandemic and the continuous oil price hikes. (Pexels Photo)
MANILA – President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. on Tuesday announced plans to expand the coverage of the government’s fuel subsidy program to include tricycle drivers.
In his first press briefing since he was sworn in as president, Marcos said tricycle drivers have been left out of the program that assists the transport sector amid the prevailing Covid-19 pandemic and the continuous oil price hikes.
“We just discussed that we are going to try not only to continue the fuel subsidy for the transport sector but to expand it to include the tricycles which up to now, have not been included,” he said.
Marcos said the funding for this proposed expanded fuel subsidy program was discussed during his first Cabinet meeting earlier in the day.
He did not elaborate, but assured that there was still enough funding from the current 2022 budget to last this year.
“We talked about the funding, where it can come from, and how we are going to manage the funding for the additional fuel subsidies. We have enough budget I think to last for most of this year and a little bit beyond but we have to find that money if we’re going to continue,” he added.
Late last month, the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) announced that over 600,000 tricycle drivers nationwide will be receiving fuel subsidy.
The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) started releasing fuel subsidy for other public transport operators and drivers in March. However, the board was waiting for the beneficiary list of tricycle and delivery drivers from the DILG.
Libreng Sakay
Meanwhile, Marcos said that the government will also provide “Libreng Sakay” (free rides) for students taking the Light Rail Transit Line 2 (LRT-2) to give them a faster ride to their schools in Quezon City and in the University Belt in Manila.
Marcos earlier approved free rides for the Epifanio de los Santos Avenue (Edsa) Bus Carousel until December 2022, from the original expiry date of June 30.
“Libreng Sakay continues as is…But what we are going to do is we are going to do a program for the students. Because if they come in, we will fully subsidize first their pamasahe (fare),” he said. “Students will ride for free on LRT-2 which is going to the University Belt.”
Last week, the Department of Transportation (DOTr) said free rides for students would be implemented from August to November or during the first quarter of the school year 2022 to 2023.
However, free train rides for the general public would be discontinued due to fiscal considerations.
Ma Teth Belmin
July 6, 2022 at 9:19 AM
Mga ganitong tulong galing sa Gobyerno ang kinakailangan ng mga mamamayan lalo at patuloy ang pagtaas ng presyo ng produktong petrolyo pati na rin ang mga bilihin.Dapat din na isama sa Oil subdidy program ang mga tricycle driver dahil isa din sila sa karamihan na umaaray sa presyo ng gasolina kaya ang resulta mahal ang pamasahe lalo sa mga lugar na pangunahing transportasyon ay ang tricycle.Pero sana patas at pantay pantay ang pag distribute at piliin kung sino ang mga karapat dapat na mapasali sa nasabing programa.
Mark Christian Dizon
July 6, 2022 at 9:44 AM
Sana lahat mabigyan, hindi pili para lahat makinabang. Sila talaga ang labis na naapektuhan sa pagtaas ng presyo ng gasoline.
Cecille Moreno
July 6, 2022 at 3:48 PM
This is heart I must say.I think tha t the previous administration would have wanted tricycle drivers to be included in the subsidy but then we are battling financial crisis due to the pandemic.At this point time,our economy though still struggling is slowly improving it’s phase,I hope that the new president will be able to deliver what ever good things he comes into mind considering the insufficiency of gov’t funds.May he find that “money” as he says, hopefully for the benefit of our fellow men.
Darlynz Gomez
July 6, 2022 at 11:59 AM
At this pandemic time, the Filipinos seemed lucky to have a continuance of government support comparing to other countries. We only received once and that’s about it. After that it becomes a survival of the fittest–Live and let live!!
Salamat Po , Malaking tulong Po Yan sa aming mga sinasakyan Araw Araw Po nakakaawa Po Sila, salamat Po sa pagtulong sa kanilang mahal na Pangulong BONG BONG MARCOS JR.
Sonny Ramirez
July 6, 2022 at 7:55 PM
If the government has the fund, why not SUSPEND EXCISE TAX and VAT on Fuel?
Dapat po alisin fuel excise tax sa halip na fuel subsidy kasi driver lang nakikinabang eh tinaas na nga pamasahe ang bilihin naman patuloy ang taas tapos sweldo di tumataas.
Think of a better solution like suspending the excise tax while you are studying on how you can solve a better solution on a long term basis.
Judith Lovendino
July 7, 2022 at 1:37 AM
Nay plano sa fuel subsidy pero sa pagtaas ng presyo ng fuel, WALA? Ang sagot nya pabilisin ang NATIONAL ID. HAHAHA! 🤣
Akala siguro ng current administration puros subsidy at ayuda na lang sagot sa problema ng bansa.
Mary Joy Valdevieso
July 8, 2022 at 6:25 AM
First of all I want to thank the President for this, as I know how difficult it is also for the tricycle drivers since my father is one of it before. I really the help he is distributing to the people for the whole good. But I hope he will have a concreate plan on how to solve the problems we encounter and we will encounter in the future, he must have solutions that is for long term efficiency. In addressing every issue we must start from the bottom. always ask ourselves, “What is the root of this problem?”, because if the root wasn’t remove and we just remove the poisonous leaves then it will just continue growing and will produce new poisonous leaves that can kill the people. He said the fund will last until this 2022 end, then what about 2023? No funds again and might result for our country to take loan again to other country, which I think is not good cause we already have a lot of debt that’s why our country is not improving to be honest.