More than 26,000 public utility vehicle (PUV) drivers and operators in Cebu will receive a P5,000 fuel subsidy from the national government starting next week to help offset rising oil prices.
The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) said the program will cover 26,833 beneficiaries in Cebu, including drivers and operators of jeepneys, buses, taxis, and transport network vehicle services.
During the Cebu Provincial Board’s regular session on Monday, LTFRB-7 Chief Transportation Development Officer Eugenio P. Ibo Jr. said regional distribution will begin about a week after the rollout in Metro Manila.
Each qualified beneficiary will receive a one-time payout of P5,000.
Ibo said both drivers and operators qualify for the subsidy under program guidelines.
“If a driver is also the operator of the vehicle, he will be entitled to receive both subsidies,” Ibo said.
However, the subsidy does not cover habal-habal drivers, prompting concerns from provincial board members.
Board Member Raymond Calderon noted that motorcycle-for-hire services often serve as the main mode of transport in rural areas.
“Kadaghanan baya sa…especially sa provinces is habal-habal jud ang priority,” Calderon said.
Ibo said informal transport workers may still seek assistance through the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS) program of the Department of Social Welfare and Development.
“Actually Sir ang mo distribute ani, if they’re part na of AICS i think it would be justified nga maapil sila. Pero it’s through DSWD na,” he said.
LTFRB data showed Cebu has the highest number of beneficiaries in Central Visayas with 26,833, followed by Bohol with 2,886 and Negros Oriental with 1,025, bringing the regional total to 30,744.
Authorities will release the subsidy through fuel cards or direct transfers, depending on beneficiaries’ existing accounts.
Operators with fuel subsidy cards will receive direct credits, while drivers will receive payouts through the AICS program.
Operators must submit notarized lists of drivers to ensure inclusion in the master list of beneficiaries.
Some board members questioned the policy of granting the same subsidy amount to both drivers and operators.
Board Member Cesar Baricuatro said operators who own multiple vehicles could receive a larger share.
“Subsidy for operators and drivers. Meaning to say, that if I have, for example, one bus, I operate one bus, and I have a driver. So, meaning dalawa sila tatanggap ng subsidy?” Baricuatro asked.
After Ibo confirmed the policy, Baricuatro said, “It should be for the drivers lang…What suffers? Anong sinasuffer nila? Hindi naman sila nagbibili ng gasolina.”
Ibo acknowledged the concern but said operators also shoulder expenses such as vehicle maintenance.
Board Member Lakambini Reluya said the subsidy should help ease pressure for fare increases.
Ibo clarified that the LTFRB board will still deliberate on any fare adjustments, balancing the interests of commuters and operators.
The fuel subsidy program expands the government’s Pantawid Pasada initiative launched in 2018 following the implementation of the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion law.
The Department of Transportation implements the program through the LTFRB in coordination with the Department of Energy and Land Bank of the Philippines.
The national government allocated P2.5 billion for the fuel subsidy program in 2026 to support public transport operations amid rising fuel costs. (SBA)
