THE Department of Budget and Management (DBM) is now in the process of facilitating the release of the P3-billion funds for the fuel subsidy program, following the submission of the necessary documents.
The DBM said it received the Special Allotment Release Order (SARO) and the Notice of Cash Allocation (NCA) for the Department of Transportation’s (DOTr) Fuel Subsidy Program on Monday, Sept. 4.
It also received the official Joint Memorandum Circular (JMC) and the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) the same day.
The program aims to provide subsidies to 1.36 million transport operators and drivers — 280,000 public utility vehicles (PUVs), 930,000 tricycles, and 150,000 delivery units.
The fuel subsidy for modern jeeps and UV Express is at P10,000; P6,500 for old jeeps, taxis, buses and TNVS; P1,200 for delivery riders; and P1,000 for tricycle drivers.
The DBM last month said funds are already available for the program, but this has yet to be released as the involved government agencies have not yet submitted the necessary documents.
“The initiative aims to bring some respite to these transportation stakeholders who are currently grappling with the repercussions of heightened fuel prices,” the DBM said.
Firms earlier on Monday announced another price hike effective Tuesday, marking the eighth straight week of upward adjustments for gasoline and the ninth for both diesel and kerosene.
Latest data available from the DOE indicate year-to-date net increases of P14.80 per liter gasoline, P9.50 per liter for diesel, and P6.64 per liter for kerosene as of August 29, 2023.
In August, LTFRB Technical Division chief Joel Bolano said the agency plans to distribute the fuel subsidies before the end of the month, and they are just awaiting the funds. (GMA Integrated News)
