The national government is rolling out a P1.5-billion assistance package for public utility vehicle (PUV) operators and drivers to help cushion the impact of the ongoing Middle East crisis and rising fuel prices while keeping public transport fares stable.
The new measures follow President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s directive to the Department of Transportation (DOTr) to ensure that public transport workers continue earning a sustainable income without passing higher operating costs on to commuters.
Transportation Secretary Giovanni Lopez announced that the government will provide at least P1.5 billion in amortization assistance for transport groups participating in the Public Transport Modernization Program (PTMP). Under the program, qualified operators will receive P20,000 per month for each financed modern jeepney unit to help cover loan payments.
Lopez said the assistance is intended to support operators who embraced the modernization program but are now struggling to meet monthly amortization payments because of soaring fuel costs. Some units, he noted, have already faced the risk of foreclosure.
The transport chief said the financial assistance will be extended to borrowers from government financial institutions, including Land Bank of the Philippines, as well as private banks.
“Our goal is to cover as many units as possible and extend the assistance for as many months as we can,” Lopez said.
The government is also expanding its social assistance program to include PUV drivers. Following discussions between Lopez and Department of Social Welfare and Development Secretary Rex Gatchalian, drivers will now qualify for the government’s P2,000 UPLIFT cash assistance, providing additional support for their daily expenses.
Fuel subsidies will likewise be increased beginning August 15, with jeepney and UV Express drivers set to receive a P12-per-liter fuel discount, up from the previous P10 per liter.
The enhanced subsidy is expected to allow drivers to save as much as P1,800 per week on diesel purchases—P300 more than under the previous discount program.
Lopez has directed the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) to simplify and accelerate the processing of fuel discount benefits to ensure drivers receive assistance more quickly.
Beyond fuel and cash assistance, the DOTr is introducing additional measures aimed at reducing operating expenses and boosting drivers’ daily earnings.
Starting August 10, toll fees for provincial buses will be waived on major expressways. Bus operators traveling through the North Luzon Expressway (NLEX), Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway (SCTEX), and Tarlac-Pangasinan-La Union Expressway (TPLEX) could save up to P2,337 on a one-way trip or P4,674 on a round trip.
Provincial buses using the South Luzon Expressway (SLEX) between Magallanes in Makati and Calamba, Laguna, will also benefit from savings of P511 per one-way trip, or P1,022 for a round trip.
The DOTr has likewise secured an agreement with the Parañaque Integrated Terminal Exchange (PITX) to extend the waiver of terminal fees for PUVs until the end of the year.
In addition, monthly terminal fees at 86 SM parking terminals nationwide will be waived starting Aug. 15. The move is expected to save drivers and operators between P1,000 and P1,500 each month.
Lopez said the government’s assistance package is designed to ease the burden on transport workers while protecting commuters from potential fare increases.
“The national government and the President are implementing additional initiatives to immediately address the challenges facing the transport sector, while ensuring that the commuting public will not have to bear the burden through higher fares,” he said.