The Department of Transportation (DOTr) announced Tuesday its readiness to roll out fuel subsidies for public utility vehicle (PUV) drivers and operators, in response to sharp oil price hikes triggered by unrest in the Middle East.
The relief measure follows President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s directive for government agencies to act swiftly in mitigating the financial burden on the transport sector due to rising fuel costs. Oil firms have projected pump price increases of ₱4.90–₱5.10 per liter for diesel and ₱3.20–₱3.40 for gasoline.
“The subsidy program will be inclusive. Drivers and operators do not need to be part of a consolidated group to qualify,” the DOTr clarified, underscoring the urgency of cushioning the impact across the entire PUV sector.
The DOTr, in coordination with the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB), is working closely with the Department of Energy (DOE), Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), and Land Bank of the Philippines (LBP) to fast-track subsidy disbursement.
According to the DOTr, financial assistance will be released “as soon as possible,” in line with President Marcos’ order to accelerate the rollout.
The fuel subsidy forms part of a broader government policy approach to shield vulnerable sectors from global economic shocks while balancing transport affordability and inflation control.
State funds poured into government owned and controlled corporations in 2024, such as the National Food Authority (NFA), aggregated P138.8 billion, based on data reported by the Bureau of the Treasury.