The Marcos Jr. administration has allotted a total of P4 billion to provide fuel assistance to transport workers and farmers for fiscal year (FY) 2023.
The funds are charged against the regular budgets of the Department of Transportation (DOTr) and the Department of Agriculture (DA) under the 2023 General Appropriations Act (GAA).
“As directed by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., this administration will continue providing fuel subsidies to our kababayan, especially in the most vulnerable sectors — public transport and agriculture,” Department of Budget and Management (DBM) Secretary Amenah F. Pangandaman said.
“Kagagaling lang po natin sa pandemya. Naiintindihan po natin na maraming naapektuhang drivers and even our farmers and fisherfolks. We are banking on our transport and agriculture sector to boost economic recovery. And so, we need to provide them the help and boost they need,” she added.
A total of P3 billion is appropriated in the 2023 national budget in the form of fuel vouchers to qualified public utility vehicle (PUV), taxi, tricycle, and full-time ride-hailing and delivery services drivers nationwide.
The amount is P500 million higher than the P2.5 billion in the 2022 budget’s fuel subsidy program. This aims to cushion the impact of high oil prices on thousands of PUV drivers.
The program’s implementation is subject to guidelines issued by the DOTr, the Department of Energy (DOE), and the DBM. Beneficiaries will be validated and identified by the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB).
Meanwhile, the amount of P1.0 billion is appropriated to provide fuel assistance to farmers and fisherfolk.
The fuel subsidy shall benefit more than 312,000 farmers and fisherfolk with P3,000 per beneficiary to ensure unimpeded agricultural production and fishing operations.
Catherine R. Cueto
