Transportation authorities will distribute direct cash subsidies to select and qualified operators of public utility vehicles (PUV) in various regions of the country.
This will be done by the Department of Transportation (DOTr), through the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB), in accordance with Republic Act 11494, or better known as Bayanihan to Recover As One Act or “Bayanihan 2.”
In Bayanihan 2, P1,161,214,210 has been set aside to help those affected by the pandemic or “critically-impacted road-based stakeholders.”
Under the program, each qualified beneficiary PUV operator will receive a grant of P6,500 per unit.
“Ang DOTr, sa pamamagitan ng LTFRB, ang mangangasiwa sa pamamahagi ng pondo upang makatulong sa muling pagbangon ng mga PUV operators na lubhang naapektuhan ang hanapbuhay dahil sa pandemya,” they said in a statement released by the LTFRB on Wednesday.
Public vehicles’ capacity to ensure passengers’ safety during coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic is currently limited.
“Nakita ng gobyerno ang pangangailangan ng mga PUV operator ng suportang pinansyal sapagkat hindi pa sapat ang kita sa bawat araw para mabawi ang operation at maintenance cost ng pagpapatakbo ng PUV,” it stated.
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Qualified PUV operators to receive P6,500 cash subsidy per unit: DOTr-LTFRB
The following operators of public transportation could benefit from direct cash subsidy:
• Public Utility Bus (PUB);
• Point-to-Point Bus (P2P);
• Public Utility Jeepney (PUJ);
• Mini-Bus;
• UV Express; at
• FilCab
They can be used to pay off debts, purchase equipment essential for compliance with virus protocols such as face masks and face shields, gasoline/crude oil, and other important necessities in the operation of vehicles.
The aid will be distributed through the Pantawid Pasada Program (PPP) Cash Cards. If not, it will be deposited in the driver’s existing Landbank Account or the bank account via PESONet and INSTAPay.
LTFRB plans to start distributing the direct cash subsidy this week.
As of November 11, the Department of Health has recorded 1,672 additional cases of COVID-19. Meanwhile, 311 recovered, and 49 died.
Of the total number of cases recorded in the country, 7.8% (31,489) were active cases, 90.2% (362,217) were cured, and 1.92% (7,710) died.