MANILA — The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board urged malls and other property owners to reduce rental fees for public utility vehicle (PUV) terminals to help operators cope with high fuel prices amid the Middle East conflict.

In a statement, LTFRB Chair Vigor Mendoza II said the appeal is part of efforts to ease the financial burden on the transport sector.

“We have already sent letters to as many owners and managers of establishments with PUV terminals to reduce the rental fees as a way of assistance to the public transport sector,” Mendoza said.

All LTFRB regional directors were instructed to request at least a 50 percent reduction in rent from terminal owners and operators in their areas.

“The assistance that would be provided by the establishment owners will greatly contribute to easing the financial strain currently experienced by the transport sector,” he added.

The rent reduction initiative complements ongoing government measures such as fuel subsidies for PUV drivers, reduced toll fees, and “Libreng Sakay” services in select areas. Mendoza urged Filipinos to embrace the spirit of bayanihan to address the economic challenges.

Meanwhile, Mendoza thanked the Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP) for considering temporary suspension or waiver of penalties on loans under the Program Assistance to Support Alternative Driving Approaches (PASADA) for transport service providers.

“We fully understand the situation of the public transport sector this time, so we are exerting efforts to provide all the necessary assistance to them to ease their burden,” Mendoza said.

The DBP responded that temporary suspension or waiver of penalties could be granted on a case-by-case basis, subject to approval by authorities.

“This is another proof that the national government is indeed working together, joining forces to extend all the assistance that it could provide to the people, especially the transport sector,” Mendoza added.