The Alliance of Transport Operators and Drivers Association of the Philippines on Sunday disclosed that some public utility vehicle drivers and operators have not yet received their fuel subsidies from the government.

In a radio interview, ALTODAP president Boy Vargas said that he is eyeing a meeting with Department of Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista and Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board chairperson Teofilo Guadiz III to discuss the matters on fuel subsidy.

“What we are waiting for is the fuel subsidy. Authorities said that it has been released already. Some have received theirs, but others haven’t,” Vargas said.

To recall, the LTFRB earlier said the fuel subsidies would be released last Wednesday, 13 September 2023 after the Department of Budget and Management approved on 8 September the release of P3 billion worth of funds to implement the Fuel Subsidy Program for transportation workers affected by rising pump prices.

Vargas, however, said that some branches of the Land Bank of the Philippines are not releasing the cash cards for the subsidy due to the election spending ban in light of the 2023 Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections.

“They are saying that due to the election spending ban, they won’t release the cards. We will clarify that,” Vargas said.

These cards could be used by PUV drivers in select gasoline stations in exchange for fuel to mitigate the impact of the consecutive big-time oil price hikes.