MANILA — Malacañang said Tuesday that the recommendation of the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) to the Palace for a proposed P20-per-liter fuel subsidy is still being discussed.
Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Claire Castro said Transportation Secretary Giovanni ‘Banoy’ Lopez is holding a meeting with the Office of the Executive Secretary and the administration’s economic team to come up with a concrete resolution on the matter.
LTFRB eyes interim fare hike, P20 fuel subsidy for all PUVs amid rising oil prices
“Sa ngayon ay pinag-uusapan po. Nakausap po natin mismo si Secretary Banoy at mayroon po siyang pakikipagpulong sa Office of the Executive Secretary para pag-usapan po ang mga detalye patungkol dito,” Castro said in a press briefing Tuesday, August 4. (TC: Around 7 mins)
Castro meanwhile assured that the ongoing P10-per-liter fuel subsidy for public utility vehicles will continue until the end of the month.
“Pero sa ngayon po ay patuloy pa rin po, extended po hanggang katapusan ng August ang P10-per-liter fuel discount or subsidy,” she noted.
“So, pag-uusapan po ng Office of the Executive Secretary, DOTr and Economic Team para po mas magkaroon nang kongkreto at detalyeng resolusyon patungkol po diyan,” Castro added.
LTFRB Chairman Vigor Mendoza earlier noted that the proposed fuel subsidy, which would cover all PUVs for one month, would require an estimated P4.5 billion budget.
"I think there will be some decisions within the week nakikita natin yung urgency ng mga ‘to. We will press this upon our bosses na kailangan na nating magpetisyon," he had said.
‘PEACEFUL DIALOGUE, NOT RALLIES’
Meanwhile, Castro also responded to the planned transport strike by transport group Manibela next week to call for a provisional fare increase, saying that rallies are not the solution but a ‘peaceful dialogue’.
“Ang nais ng pamahalaan ay pag-uusap, negosasyon makita kung ano ang daing at kung meron mang magkakaroon ng transport rally, hindi po kasi ito ang tugon. Hindi ito ang sagot sa mga ganitong klaseng isyu dahil mas mahihirapan lang din po ang ating komyuter sa gagawing ganitong klaseng aksyon,” Castro said.
“Kayo naman po ay nadidinig ng gobyerno. Mas maganda na magkaroon ng tahimik, maayos na dayalogo, hindi yung lagi tayong nasa daan dahil hindi po siya ang sagot sa ating mga isyu sa ngayon,” she added.
The Palace official assured government agencies are ready to assist passengers who will be affected by the strike.
“But hindi po natin pinipigilan ang sinumang nais na magkaroon ng pagpo-protesta but still, hindi po siya makakatulong sa ating ekonomiya,” Castro said.
“Kung ano po ang nais ng MANIBELA handa naman pong tumugon ang ating pamahalaan para hindi naman po mahirapan ang ating mga komyuter sa araw na ito ay kanilang gagawin,” she added.