Malacañang on Tuesday announced that the government has extended the existing PhP10-per-liter fuel subsidy for public utility vehicle (PUV) drivers and operators until the end of August to help cushion the impact of higher fuel prices.
The subsidy, which was rolled out on April 14, was originally scheduled to run until July 2026, according to the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB).
According to Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Claire Castro, the government has extended the existing fuel discount while a proposal to increase the assistance to PhP20 per liter is still under review.
Earlier, the LTFRB submitted a proposal to Malacañang seeking to increase the fuel subsidy for all PUVs to PhP20 per liter for one month due to the series of oil price hikes.
Castro said the proposal is still being discussed by the Office of the Executive Secretary, the Department of Transportation (DOTr), and the government’s Economic Team.
“Nakausap natin mismo si (DOTr) Secretary Banoy (Giovanni Lopez) at mayroon po siyang pakikipagpulong sa Office of the Executive Secretary para pag-usapan ang mga detalye patungkol dito. Pero sa ngayon ay patuloy pa rin, extended hanggang katapusan ng August ang 10-peso per liter fuel discount or subsidy,” Castro said.
She said Acting Transportation Secretary Giovanni Lopez has already met with the Office of the Executive Secretary to discuss the details of the proposal, adding that concerned agencies are working to come up with a concrete resolution.
“Pag-uusapan po ng Office of the Executive Secretary, DOTr and Economic Team para po mas magkaroon ng kongkreto at detalyeng resolusyon patungkol diyan,” Castro added. | *PND*
