TRANSPORTATION Secretary Vince Dizon announced on Thursday that the government stands ready to implement a fuel subsidy program for over 1.1 million public transport workers, should global crude oil prices exceed $80 per barrel.
This preparedness stems from concerns over rising fuel costs in the wake of the escalating Israel-Iran conflict. Dizon confirmed that the Marcos administration is fully prepared to activate the Fuel Subsidy Program (FSP) as outlined in the 2025 General Appropriations Act (GAA).
A total of P2.5 billion has been allocated under the 2025 GAA for this purpose, with an additional P617 million remaining from the 2024 budget.
The FSP is projected to benefit an estimated 1,132,407 individuals, encompassing 258,712 public utility vehicle (PUV) operators and drivers, 723,695 tricycle drivers, and 150,000 ride-hailing application drivers.
The government plans to distribute the fuel subsidies through a variety of channels to ensure swift and efficient delivery.
These channels include existing Pantawid Pasada fuel cards, registered e-wallets (GCash and Maya), bank-to-bank transfers, and cash distribution through the Land Bank of the Philippines.
