LTFRB junks P1 surge fee, eyes P2.9-billion subsidy for PUV drivers

The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) has rejected the proposed P1 “surge fee” proposed by some transportation teams to deal with the rising gasoline costs.

Instead, the federal government regulatory physique introduced it might quickly disburse P2.9 billion value of gasoline subsidy to public utility automobile (PUV) drivers.

“I think it’s too high. Even P1 for me is a little bit too high. Masyadong masakit sa bulsa ng mananakay,” stated LTFRB Chairperson Teofilo Guadiz III in Joseph Morong’s report on “24 Oras” on Monday.

(I feel it’s too excessive. Even P1 for me is a bit bit too excessive. That would badly have an effect on commuters.)

According to Guadiz, the petition is now void after a brand new petition was filed asking for a P2 enhance in fares throughout totally different modes of public transportation amid the rising gasoline prices.

The Department of Energy (DOE) stated one other value hike might be imposed on Tuesday, August 15 — the third value enhance this month — which it attributed to Saudi Arabia and Russia’s dedication to scale back output targets.

Diesel costs might be up by P1.50 per liter; gasoline by P1.90 per liter; and kerosene by P2.50 per liter.

“Ngayon naman pinag-uusapan is around P1.5 [per liter price increase on diesel], so most likely nasa $90 [per barrel] na po tayo, $80, higher level ng $80, $87, $88 posible pong umabot tayo niyan,” stated DOE Oil Management Industry Bureau Director Rino Abad.

(Based on our discussions, it might be round P1.5 [price increase on diesel per liter], so most probably it might be round $80 to $90 [per barrel]. Higher ranges can be $80, $87. It might attain $88.)

The LTFRB stated it is going to disburse at the very least P2.9 billion value of gasoline subsidy or “ayuda” to public utility automobiles (PUV) drivers hit by the growing costs. They are nonetheless ready for the Department of Budget and Management to obtain the finances to them.

“We’re hoping that by either Friday o Monday lumabas na ‘yung pera [the budget will be downloaded],” stated Guadiz.

“Depende kung sa klase ng pampublikong sasakyan ang halaga ng matatanggap na ayuda… pero hindi raw kasama ang mga motorcycle taxi,” he stated.

(The quantity would rely upon the PUV however bike taxis are excluded.)

The subsidy will vary from P1,000 to P10,000.

For transport group PISTON, the long-term resolution for the rising gasoline costs is the junking of the oil deregulation legislation. A associated invoice has been filed within the Congress.

“‘Pag tinanggal yung P6 sa excise tax maibababalik sa driver ‘yung P6. Babawi yun,” stated PISTON President Mody Floranda.

(If they’d take away the P6 excise tax, that might bounce again to the drivers.)

But doing so would have an effect on the transport subsidy, Guadiz stated.

“It may either decrease or totally eliminate the fuel subsidy,” he added.—Sundy Locus/LDF/KG, GMA Integrated News

Source: www.gmanetwork.com