MANILA — Acting Transportation Secretary Giovanni Lopez confirmed that a public utility vehicle (PUV) fare increase is under study, while the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) is expected to finalize its review within the week.

In a press briefing at Malacañang, Lopez said the LTFRB is assessing the appropriate fare adjustments for different types of PUVs. He noted that initial recommendations from transport groups were rejected to ensure the fare hike is carefully studied before implementation.

“We have to treat this very carefully with an abundance of caution, imbes na makakatulong tayo sa mas nakakarami at sa lahat, baka mas makakadagdag tayo sa problema,” Lopez said.
(We don’t want to create more problems instead of helping more people.)

Lopez also announced a PHP5,000 fuel subsidy for PUV drivers in Metro Manila, which will start next week. Distribution will begin with tricycle drivers, followed by jeepney, taxi, transport network vehicle service (TNVS), and bus drivers.

“Ang utos po sa atin ng ating Pangulo [Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.], huwag na nating hayaang mas lumala pa ang sitwasyon at kailangan ang whole-of-government approach at ‘yan po ay ipinag-utos niya sa Office of the Executive Secretary kaya kami ay nagkaroon ng pagpupulong kanina,” he said.
(The President ordered us to not let the situation worsen and there should be a whole-of-government approach. That’s his order to the Office of the Executive Secretary, and that’s why we had a meeting earlier.)

The Department of Transportation (DOTr) and LTFRB will coordinate with the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), Department of Information and Communications Technology, Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), and local government units to verify beneficiaries and distribute the subsidies.

DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian said that while the rollout will start in Metro Manila, subsidies will also be extended to PUV drivers in other provinces.

“Iki-kick off lang natin sa Metro Manila pero sunod-sunod na po ‘yan, di na yan magtatagal. One after the other, mangyayari po yan tutal ang DSWD naman may nationwide offices kami who will do simultaneous payouts,” Gatchalian said.
(We’re kicking off in Metro Manila, but this will follow nationwide, as DSWD has offices that can do simultaneous payouts.)

The fare hike and fuel subsidies are part of the government’s response to rising global oil prices due to the ongoing Middle East conflict. Last week, President Marcos also ordered four-day workweeks and other energy-saving measures to reduce the country’s energy demand.