DOE expands fuel subsidy rollout for PUV drivers; over 300 stations now active in Cebu, Bohol

Local

PUBLIC utility vehicle (PUV) drivers in Central Visayas may now avail of the fuel subsidy program of the Department of Energy (DOE) with its continuing nationwide rollout.

A data published by the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board-Central Visayas (LTFRB-7) on its Facebook page showed that more than 300 gasoline stations in Cebu and Bohol are already participating in the fuel subsidy program, further improving accessibility for PUV drivers and operators in the region.

Currently, 4,299 gas stations nationwide have station codes required for participation in the prorgram, according to DOE Oil Industry Management Bureau Director Rino Abad in an online news conference on Monday, May 18.

Abad said the fuel subsidy initiative remains a “continuous program,” assuring transport workers that assistance will continue as long as funding is available.

“Tuloy-tuloy po ito,” Abad said, referring to the ongoing implementation of the subsidy program.

As of May 14, the DOE reported that around P13.4 million worth of fuel subsidies had already been availed by beneficiaries nationwide.

The program currently has a budget allocation of P200 million and targets around 141,000 PUV beneficiaries across the country.

The DOE is also working to increase the number of participating gasoline stations to make the subsidy more accessible to drivers nationwide.

Abad said there are currently 4,299 gas stations nationwide that already have station codes required for participation in the program. However, only around 938 gasoline stations are readily implementing the fuel subsidy system at present.

He explained that the onboarding process is ongoing, particularly involving the application and approval of Land Bank settlement accounts necessary for station accreditation.

“Last week, there were only around 600 implementing stations. Now, we are already at 938,” Abad noted.

The DOE has likewise submitted more than 4,000 additional gasoline stations to Land Bank for the issuance of station codes, as the agency aims to further expand the network of participating fuel retailers.

According to the DOE, participation in the program is mandatory for all legally operating gasoline stations nationwide. The Philippines currently has more than 8,000 gasoline stations operating across the country.

DOE Secretary Sharon Garin emphasized that the government wants all qualified beneficiaries to be able to access the subsidy wherever they may be in the country.

“Para lahat ng mga kababayan ay maka-avail kahit saan man kayo sa bansa,” Garin said.

She noted, however, that internet connectivity remains necessary for gasoline stations to be onboarded into the digital subsidy system.

“Except for those who cannot comply because internet connection is needed for them to be onboarded, all gas stations are required,” she added.

The DOE also stressed that illegally operating fuel stations will not be allowed to participate in the subsidy program.(MyTVCebu)