President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Thursday unveiled a package of transport support measures to cushion commuters and public utility vehicle (PUV) operators from the impact of surging global oil prices, amid renewed tensions in the Middle East.
The announcement followed a meeting with the government’s UPLIFT (Unified Package for Livelihoods, Industry, Food and Transport) Committee, where officials finalized interventions to stabilize fares and sustain transport operations.
Central to the plan is a nationwide Service Contracting Program, set to begin April 15 under the Department of Transportation.
The initiative will provide payments ranging from P40 to P100 per kilometer to drivers and operators, supplementing their income from passenger fares.
“Simula April 15, ipapatupad ng DOTr ang Service Contracting Program… Dagdag ito sa kanilang kita mula sa pamasahe,” Marcos said.
Commuters are also expected to benefit from fare relief, with the program mandating discounts of at least 20 percent. Routes will prioritize areas linked to rail lines and major bus corridors to improve connectivity and travel efficiency.
The program is projected to cover around 50,000 PUVs, 1,000 operators, and up to 15 million passengers nationwide. It will primarily run during off-peak hours to ensure the availability of transport services beyond rush periods.
In parallel, the government will roll out a temporary fuel subsidy aimed at offsetting rising pump prices. The subsidy will provide a P10 per liter discount for PUVs, capped at 150 liters per week for three months.
“Magpapatupad tayo ng P10 kada litro na bawas… sa loob ng tatlong buwan,” the President said.
Initial implementation will focus on the National Capital Region, starting along Commonwealth Avenue before expanding to other key transport corridors.
“Ang bawat desisyon na ginagawa natin ay may isang layunin lamang: maprotektahan ang Pilipino,” Marcos added.
