Transport Operators Await Second Tranche of ₱5-Billion Fuel Subsidy as Prices Hike

Commuters can expect to have difficulty in getting rides as fewer vehicles traverse the roads in the coming weeks. Juliet de Jesus, Managing Director of Samahan Ng Mga Transport Operators Ng Pilipinas, noted that this is largely due to the continued increase in fuel prices. Oil firms have since announced yet another round of price hikes for both diesel and gasoline.

“Asahan po ninyo, kung nagkulang man ng sasakyan nitong week na ito, baka mas marami po magkukulang by next week kung sakali po ayan na naman, meron na namang increase sa diesel,” explained de Jesus. (“Expect that if there was a deficiency in public vehicles in the past week, there may be an even bigger deficiency by next week in case there will be another increase in diesel.)

As of June 14, year-to-date adjustments are at a net increase of ₱28.70 per liter for gasoline, ₱41.15 per liter for diesel, and ₱4.85 per liter for kerosene. These figures are based on data from the Department of Energy (DOE). In response, de Jesus urged the government to heavily consider cutting excise taxes on petroleum products, either by half or completely. Affected stakeholders have forwarded numerous proposals regarding the suspension of excise taxes to Congress. However, the Department of Finance (DOF) remains adamant in refusing such measures due to the projected losses that they may entail.

For now, transport operators rely heavily on fuel subsidies. This is the case for the Alliance of Transport Operators and Drivers Association (ALTODAP). The group’s president Melencio Vargas noted that they are simply waiting on the second tranche of the ₱5-billion fuel subsidy program from the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB). The LTFRB earlier affirmed that 377,000 driver and operator beneficiaries will receive the second tranche of ₱6,500 cash grants in late June or early July.

“Napakalaking tulong ‘yon dahil siyempre, P6,500 ‘yon kahit papaano. Kung hindi kami makapagtataas kaagad ng pamasahe, napakalaking bagay non. Mga ilang araw papakinabangan ng mga driver ‘yon,” Melencio elaborated. “Nananawaagan ako doon sa bagong upo na LTFRB, sana makonsulta kami. ‘Yung consultation importante sa amin eh, para mailahad ‘yung aming mga hinaing,”

(“The P6,500 would be a big help to us. If we won’t be able to hike fares immediately, that would be a big deal for us. Drivers would benefit from that for days. I am appealing to the LTFRB to consult with this. Consultation is important to us to be able to present our concerns.”)

Source: GMA News