Transport dep鈥檛 eyeing to increase subsidy for PUVs amid fuel price hikes听
THE听TRANSPORTATION听department on Monday said it is planning to increase the incentives it provides, through the service contracting program, to public utility vehicle (PUV) operators and drivers as a way to mitigate the impact of rising fuel prices.听
In a statement, Transportation Secretary Arthur P. Tugade said the department has听formally听proposed to the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) and the Department of Energy (DoE) that PUVs be given a uniform discount at gas stations nationwide.听听听
Mr. Tugade also urged drivers and operators to take part in the government鈥檚 service contracting program where they will get paid on per kilometer basis to ensure that their operations remain听鈥渧iable.鈥澨听
鈥Sa binabayad na insentibo sa ilalim ng service contracting, kinonsidera po natin ang gastusin sa krudo听(the听incentive covers the fuel cost),鈥澨齢e noted.听
鈥淚n consideration of the oil price hike, we are studying to increase the incentive for every kilometer,鈥澨齅r. Tugade added听in Filipino.听
In a phone message to听大象传媒, Transportation Assistant Secretary听Goddes听Hope O. Libiran said the government currently pays public buses under the service contracting program P82.50 per kilometer. The subsidy per kilometer for jeepneys and other small modes of transportation under the program is P52.50.听听
Oil prices increased again this week听by听P1.8 per听liter听for gasoline,听P1.5/L听for听diesel,听and P1.3/L for kerosene.听鈥斕鼳rjay L. Balinbin听
