DAVAO CITY (April 14) — The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board in Region 11 has requested ₱81.2 million from the Department of Transportation to fund fuel subsidies for public utility vehicle (PUV) drivers and operators amid rising fuel costs.
During a press briefing, LTFRB-11 regional director Nonito Llanos III said the regional office has submitted for validation a list of around 13,636 operators and 6,972 drivers for possible inclusion in the program’s official beneficiary list.
“This is what we requested. If approved, the amount will be downloaded directly to the e-wallets and bank accounts of the beneficiaries,” Llanos said.
The subsidy is part of the government’s fuel assistance program, which provides between ₱1,000 and ₱10,000 per unit, depending on national guidelines. Llanos noted that the list remains subject to review, with the Department of Transportation setting April 15 as the deadline for submissions.
To receive the subsidy, beneficiaries are required to have active e-wallets or bank accounts for direct cash transfers. The program began in late March, with some operators already receiving assistance through ATM cards.
Alongside this, the Department of Social Welfare and Development is implementing separate financial aid through its Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situations (AICS), which provides ₱5,000 in direct support.
DSWD-11 regional director Rhuelo Aradanas reported that cash relief assistance for tricycle drivers was rolled out smoothly across parts of the Davao Region. From April 8 to 10, some 12,539 drivers received a total of ₱62.7 million.
Distribution in municipalities is scheduled from April 16 to 18, with final validation of the Tricycle Operators and Drivers’ Association (TODA) master list ongoing. Beneficiaries must claim the assistance in person and present a valid driver’s license along with required documentation.
Aradanas said the assistance aims to help drivers cope with the continued impact of fuel price increases and support their families’ daily needs.
