Over 180,000 operators of public utility vehicles (PUV) have so far received their one-time fuel subsidy from the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB).

In a statement on Friday, the LTFRB said a total of PHP1,170,396,500 have been remitted to 180,061 PUV operators—each receiving PHP6,500 through a cash card—as of June 1.

“Isa sa pinakamahalagang mandato na nakaatas sa LTFRB ang agarang pagbibigay ng fuel subsidy para maibsan ang epekto ng pagtaas ng presyo ng petrolyo sa pandaigdigang market (One of the most important mandates of the LTFRB is the immediate remittance of the fuel subsidy to help ease the effects of rising fuel prices in the global market),” the LTFRB said.

To date, a total of 84,157 PUV operators are yet to receive their share of the government subsidy.

“Batid ng ahensya ang hinaing ng grupo ng mga operators at drivers at ito ay ginagawan na ng kaukulang pansin at pagtutok upang sa lalong madaling panahon ay matangap na nila ang kanilang fuel subsidy (The agency hears the calls of groups of operators and drivers and are being addressed so they can finally receive their fuel subsidy),” the LTFRB said.

Out of those who are yet to receive the cash grant, it said 57,841 beneficiaries are processed by the Landbank of the Philippines for immediate remittance.

“Ang naiwang balanse naman ay patuloy pang ginagawan ng ATM card ng nasabing banko (The remainder are still in the process of being issued ATM cards of the said bank),” it said.

Meanwhile, the LTFRB said the fuel subsidy program for delivery services under the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) has so far gathered 12,965 beneficiaries, out of which 9,552 have received the cash grant.

“Kasalukuyan pang pinoproseso ang naiwang bilang mula sa kabuuang listahan na 27,777 mula sa DTI (The remainder from the total of 27,777 listed under the DTI are still being processed),” it said.

However, it said the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) has yet to submit a list of tricycle drivers for the subsidy program.

“Patuloy naman ang pakikipag-ugnayan ng LTFRB sa DILG ukol sa mga benipisyaryo mula sa hanay ng tricycle drivers (The LTFRB continues to coordinate with the DILG on beneficiaries from the tricycle sector),” it said.

The fuel subsidy program is a joint government project led by the LTFRB and the Department of Transportation that eases the effects of rising fuel prices and other goods on the public transport sector. (PNA)