Davao city: The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) 11 has announced its request for a PHP81.2-million budget dedicated to the Department of Transportation's (DOTr) fuel subsidy program, aimed at supporting drivers and operators within the Davao Region.
According to Philippines News Agency, LTFRB-11 regional director Nonito Llanos III disclosed during a press briefing that a list comprising approximately 13,636 operators and 6,972 drivers has been submitted to the central office for validation and potential inclusion in the clean list. Llanos emphasized that upon approval, the funds would be directly transferred to the e-wallets and bank accounts of the intended beneficiaries.
Llanos highlighted the existence of two government assistance programs for public utility drivers: the Department of Social Welfare and Development's (DSWD) Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situations (AICS), which offers PHP5,000 in direct aid, and the DOTr fuel subsidy, which ranges from PHP1,000 to PHP10,000 per unit based on specific guidelines. He noted that the list of beneficiaries is still under review, with a deadline set for April 15 by the DOTr-LTFRB, and emphasized the necessity for each driver to possess an e-wallet or bank account to facilitate direct subsidy receipt.
The DOTr fuel subsidy program was initiated in late March, with some operators already benefiting from assistance through automated teller machine cards. Meanwhile, DSWD-11 Director Rhuelo Aradanas reported the successful distribution of cash relief assistance (CRA) to tricycle drivers across various cities in the region recently. The records indicate that 12,539 tricycle drivers received a total of PHP62.7 million in CRA during the payout from April 8-10.
Aradanas further outlined plans for distribution in municipalities scheduled for April 16-18, with the master list of Tricycle Operators and Drivers' Association (TODA) drivers nearing completion. He stated that beneficiaries are required to claim the assistance in person by presenting a valid driver's license and a photocopy with three signatures. Aradanas concluded by explaining that the CRA is part of DSWD's AICS program, designed to alleviate the impact of rising fuel prices on public utility vehicle drivers and support their families' fundamental needs.
