The Department of Transportation (DOTr) will begin distributing a P5,000 fuel subsidy to public utility vehicle (PUV) drivers in Metro Manila on March 17, 2026, as the government moves to ease the impact of rising oil prices linked to tensions in the Middle East.
Transportation Secretary Giovanni Lopez said the subsidy rollout is being coordinated with the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and local government units to ensure that assistance reaches affected drivers quickly.
Under the initial phase, tricycle drivers in Metro Manila will receive the subsidy first, followed by jeepney, taxi, Transport Network Vehicle Service (TNVS), and bus drivers. Authorities said the program is part of a broader government response ordered by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to cushion the public transport sector from rising fuel costs.
The DOTr is working with several agencies—including the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB), Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), and Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG)—to verify qualified beneficiaries.
DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian said the subsidy program will expand nationwide after the Metro Manila rollout, with simultaneous payouts handled by DSWD field offices across the country.
Aside from cash assistance, the government is also pursuing non-cash measures to reduce transport costs. Lopez said the DOTr has coordinated with toll operators to provide discounts for Class 3 vehicles, such as buses and trucks, to help offset higher diesel and gasoline prices.
Meanwhile, the LTFRB is studying petitions for a possible fare increase for some public transport vehicles to further support drivers and operators. Authorities said the proposed adjustments are being carefully reviewed to balance driver welfare and commuter affordability.
The DOTr is also working with the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines to review potential reductions in airport landing and takeoff fees, especially as travel demand is expected to rise during the upcoming Holy Week.
