LTFRB seeks P20 per liter PUV fuel subsidy

The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) plans to propose a P20 per liter fuel subsidy for public utility vehicles (PUVs) to assist drivers and operators dealing with rising pump prices.

The proposal, which seeks to increase the existing discount from the current P12 rate that was previously raised from P10, will be submitted to the Department of Transportation (DoTr).

The transportation department will then forward the measure to Malacañang for final approval.

Acting LTFRB chairperson Greg Pua Jr. said Tuesday in a radio interview that the board aims to support the transport sector, specifically public utility jeepneys and UV Express units.

Government officials are evaluating whether drivers can maintain sufficient daily earnings under the current discount structure.

Pua cited that economic managers will assess the proposal, acknowledging that a P20 per liter subsidy might be deemed too high.

Factors such as available government funds, broader economic conditions, and the practical scope of relief measures influence the decision-making process, as was the case when the discount was set at P12 instead of P20 previously.

Addressing reports of drivers struggling to use the discount after several service stations in Central Luzon temporarily stopped offering it, Pua clarified that administrative delays have been addressed.

He also said billing schedules for participating gas stations are now back on track.

Under the system, LandBank records the subsidy amounts claimed at each station and submits the data to the LTFRB for verification and settlement.

Delays occurred primarily when gas stations held accounts with financial institutions other than LandBank, creating processing lags standard in cross-bank transactions.

The agency is investigating specific station reports across Central Luzon and the National Capital Region to determine whether payments are pending, delayed by interbank processing, or returned by LandBank.